It is not solitude, loneliness and seclusion that makes a writer. It is a great social life. They often start their careers in a Creative Writing Class. So it happened that four writers met in Chandler’s Ford writing group a few years ago.
The result is the intriguingly titled, Secret Lives of Chandler’s Ford. A collection of fictional short stories is written by four local writers and available in several local stores.
How the book began
Catherine, Karen, Maggie and Sally met at a creative writing class in Chandler’s Ford several years ago. Keen to develop their hobby, they formed a small writing group. The original aim was to discuss story ideas and read their work to each other.
After several meetings admiring one another’s kitchens, drinking coffee, eating cake and chatting, they thought it was time to get to work. The idea for a collection of short stories was born.
Each of the writers has their own individual style. However, they wanted a theme to unify the collection. As they all love Chandler’s Ford it became apparent that there could be no better backdrop to their stories. Who are these people who have found our secret heart?
The authors
The writers live and work locally. They love the space and greenery of Chandler’s Ford, the choice of houses, well-regarded local schools, range of shops, cafes and pubs. They enjoy living in a thriving, varied, evolving suburban community. Like many of its inhabitants, the writers were not born or raised in Chandler’s Ford.
Catherine hails from Bristol. She has lived locally since the 1980s. A mathematician, she retired early and is now a full-time writer. Catherine is especially interested in reading and writing within the fantasy genre. She also enjoys writing contemporary stories with a twist. Catherine relaxes by pottering around her large garden.
Karen moved south from Scotland in the 1980s. She came to Chandler’s Ford for work reasons. Just for a couple of years, she thought. Eighteen years later, it seems she’s here to stay! Karen works full-time. She enjoys writing across several genres. She has contributed both historical and contemporary stories to the book. Karen loves theatre, books and socialising.
Sally is originally from the Midlands. She is a working mother of children and two naughty kittens. Sally enjoys writing for children and young adults. When she has spare time, Sally enjoys cooking and reading (sometimes at the same time, with mixed results). Her favourite type of holiday is a safari, which she hopes to introduce the children to in the near future.
Maggie is well-known in Chandler’s Ford. A teacher for many years at Hiltingbury School, former pupils often stop her for a chat. Maggie enjoys spending time with her children and grandchildren. Now she is retired from teaching, she does voluntary work. She also sings in a local choir. Maggie loves to write stories which are gentle, family-centred and often romantic.
Secret Lives of Chandler’s Ford
The writers spent the summer and autumn of 2015 working on the collection of stories. The meetings became more organised. The group found a focus (but still enjoyed cake). What, they wondered, are the “secrets” of Chandler’s Ford? What goes on behind the net curtains and leafy hedges?
Chandler’s Ford is a quiet, respectable backwater. A suburb, although no one is quite sure whether of Winchester or of Southampton. It has clean streets, decent and kind citizens. It even has a reinvigorated Fryern Centre and a new parish council building. Could it have any secrets?
Then the writers thought about the day Chandler’s Ford turned into the badlands, “the helicopter on the roundabout shootout” from a few years ago. They did some research. They learned about a haunted phone box. About Chandler’s Ford’s role in WWII. They thought about the lives of people they knew, had heard of, or invented. They envisaged alternative versions of Chandler’s Ford where white magic and dark events swirled around the suburb.
Secret Lives of Chandler’s Ford features 14 stories that are contemporary, historical and futuristic. They are fun, fabulous and of course, completely fictional. The writers had a great time writing them and hope that you enjoy reading them.
NEW!
Past event:
Book signing
On 8 July, the writers will be at Bay Leaves Larder on Hiltingbury Road, from 11:00 am – 14:00pm, for a book-signing event. Come along and meet them.
Contact: Secret Lives of Chandlers Ford on Facebook, and Chandlers Ford Lives (@chfordlives) on Twitter. You could also send the writers story ideas for volume two!
Secret Lives of Chandler’s Ford by Maggie Farran, Catherine Griffin, Sally Howard and Karen Stephen. (2015) ISBN 13:978-1519668686 is available from Amazon, WH Smiths, Bay Leaves, Andersons, Kerry’s and Eastleigh Museum.
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Great post, Mike. Hope the group and the book does well. My son was at school when Maggie was still teaching so would remember her well (and he sometimes volunteers at the Eastleigh Museum where the book will be on sale). If I can I’ll pop along to the signing at Bay Leaves. (Not that I need much excuse to go there!).
Really sorry to be missing your signing day.
I enjoyed this collection of stories, where each author displays her own personal style.
A must-read for all who live in Chandlers Ford..and beyond.