Lucy Delbridge has a degree in theology, but has always preferred writing of a more “fictional” kind. She gears her MA, and all her other activities around preparing lunch boxes, making interesting things out of washing up bottles, and changing dirty nappies. As a working mum, much of her free time is focused around her two children, although what time she does have to herself is dedicated to her passions, which are reading anything from a cook book to a literary classic, and her own creative writing. Having written from the time she could actually hold a pen, according to her mother, Lucy is constantly testing her boundaries and likes nothing better than a new challenge.

 

Katy Griffiths was born and brought up in Pembroke Dock, where reading and writing have always played a huge role in her life. She was an avid reader from a young age and this interest continued throughout her life, culminating in her graduation from Trinity College, Carmarthen in 2007 with a BA in English and Creative Writing, where she discovered that she could add plays, short stories and a novella to her writing repertoire. She now continues at Trinity College, pursuing the MA in Creative Writing. Katy draws inspiration from everything and everyone around her, therefore family and friends could recognise themselves in her writing. Whether they take that as a compliment or not is up to them!

 

Caroline James has a long standing interest in writing which goes back to her Grandfather reading to her every Saturday on her weekly visit to his house in Gower. Every week she would leave with yet another book underarm to be read before the next visit. Her parents, whilst not wishing to curb her enthusiasm, persuaded her to get a professional qualification and write when she had time. This she did, qualifying first as a criminal lawyer and then taking Solicitors examinations. For a number of years she worked in the Criminal Courts of Cardiff, and is now a consultant. On moving back near to her home town of Swansea  she decided to enrol on the MA course full time, concentrating more on writing and less on work. Her aim is to write for the theatre and due to the nature of her job, and her habit of people watching, she is never stuck for ideas. When she has any spare time she enjoys swimming and gardening.

 

Llinos Jones has been writing intermittently for at least 25 years despite rather rude interruptions by reality. After a break of far too many years she met an unlikely muse (who has borne his burden with grace and good humour) and the words came again. She specialises in free verse but has been known to throw together the occasional sonnet, if pushed.  Her poetry has been described as “sinister yet romantic” and, in fairness, she wouldn’t disagree.

 

Jessie Ledbetter has only had one clear objective in life: to write. Everything else, well, that’s just mashed potatoes. Born roughly 9000 miles from Wales, Jessie has always been known for quick, consuming passions and swift, often adventurous decisions. Moving to Los Angeles to pursue the dream job in Hollywood, Jessie stumbled onto the MA Creative Writing program at Trinity College when the writers went on strike. Deciding a new life change was in order, Jessie packed a year’s worth of a life into two suitcases and made the ten hour flight to the UK. The future is dim and often scary, but Jessie has a few new adventurous ideas in mind and looks forward to hundreds of new experiences, both in the United States and the United Kingdom.

 

Jo Perkins spends her days wandering along the idyllic sandy beach outside her home in Pembrokeshire or gazing through the windows at the sea searching for inspiration.    Actually, that’s not true, none of it, except the house which she shares with one husband, three teenagers and three cats,  not to mention the stick insect which she would dearly like to see the back of.   Sorry, the back of which, she would dearly like to see.   Before ending up in this crowded household she acquired an English degree from Swansea and spent many years working as a journalist for BBC TV news.

 

Jan Slade has been knocking around this world for a long time and she thinks she just might be beginning to understand some of it. She has had a peripatetic life and had many and various jobs, which have all been grist to her writing mill. She now fills her days with reading everything she can get her hands on, allowing her imagination free range with her writing and growing her own vegetables. What with all these activities she finds she has little time for housework - and what’s more, she doesn’t care.

 

Enid M. Smith has been an avid reader from an early age. Lover of trees, the countryside, flora and fauna. She has worked in a variety of jobs before becoming a teacher. She began  writing  poetry and painting as an emotive teenager. Now she feels it is time to get serious.

 

Penny Sutton for many years created balance sheets by weaving numbers together. Early widowhood, along with the responsibility of being a single parent to two teenage boys, was the catalyst for exploring her artistic streak. Now in semi-retirement she designs gardens and is close to fulfilling a life long ambition to gain a degree. Too many family tragedies have brought her pen to paper as she grieves with her poetry, avidly supported by her sons and their wives. A lot of her inspiration is drawn from a childhood and married life in several African countries, and is now augmented with the splendour of nature against the backdrop of sky wrapping itself around the lush green Welsh hills. Clouds, the sun and moon, stars and jetliner vapour trails are all clearly visible from her hillside home overlooking the Loughor valley. With so many ideas germinating, she plans to spend more time writing when she retires fully, and being published would be her ultimate triumph.

 

Sarah Tanner was born in Birmingham, grew up in Herefordshire and spent most of her childhood reading. She started writing when she ten years old, and hasn’t stopped since. After completing a degree in English Literature and Making It Up As You Go Along – sorry, Creative writing - she decided she liked Wales and has remained there ever since. She currently lives in Carmarthen with her housemates and a yucca plant named Fred. She doesn’t like being asked where she gets her inspiration from because frankly, she has no idea.