I have always enjoyed
writing and featured heavily in the junior school magazine with poems and
stories. My writing in those days was heavily influenced by Enid Blyton’s
Famous Fives – full of caves, treasure and big brothers.
My first novel was written
when I was fourteen, this time largely based on Errol Flynn films, complete
with galleons and dashing pirates. I still have the original typescript in a
box. It was about that time that I decided I wanted to be published as Morton
Gray.
Writing became more serious
after a short story competition win and I studied for and completed a
Certificate in Higher Education in Creative Writing with the Open College of
the Arts. This course covered fiction, poems, plays and autobiographical
writing.
I joined the Romantic
Novelists’ Association (RNA) New Writers’ Scheme (NWS) in 2012 and have found a
yearly critique of my work invaluable. I have learned so much about what I do
well and what aspects of writing I need to develop. I take part each year in
NaNoWriMo – a challenge to write 50,000 words in November and this has resulted
in four first draft manuscripts. I have just submitted my 2014 NWS novel, a
contemporary romantic novel. I also write historical, timeslip and romantic
suspense.
The RNA annual conference
is fantastic for networking and useful workshops. I spent one day at the 2011
Carleon conference and was hooked. I've been to three full conferences –
Penrith 2012, Sheffield 2013 and Telford 2014.
Up until now, I have been
concentrating on honing my writing craft, but now feel I am ready to start
submitting to publishers. Wish me luck for 2014!
I use Twitter as @MSGray53
and Facebook as Morton Gray
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