Clare Shaw

Clare has written several non-fiction books, including Prepare Your child For School and Your Confident Child. A new feminist book - Sageism - is due to be published by Indigo dreams in 2015. She has had one novel published - The Mother and Daughter Diaries (Mira) and is currently writing the follow up.

Clare is also a playwright and performance poet. Her plays have been performed at venues such as New Wimbledon Theatre, The Cockpit, The Pleasance and The Pulse Festival. She has recently co-written NAKED with her daughter, Jessica Burgess which will premiere at The Vault Festival, Waterloo, in February 2015.

Clare has always loved the short story form and is delighted to share some of her work on Cut A Long Story.

Credentials

Clare Shaw in 60 seconds

When did you start writing?

At school near Guildford.

What do you love about short stories?

I love short stories because they have to draw the reader in right from the start and deliver a great ending.

Do you write in other forms?

Novels, non-fiction books, poetry and plays.

What distracts you from writing?

Reading (I call it research)

Outside of writing, what are your other passions?

Going to the theatre.

What is your favourite book?

Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro

Who are your favourite writers?

Virginia Woolf, Haruki Murakami and Thomas Hardy

Where is your dream location?

Anywhere near the sea.

What one item would you put into Room 101?

Bus replacement services

Do you have any advice for new writers?

Write every day. Never ever ever ever give up.