Image Credits:-
Many thanks to June Webber for supplying author pictures and book cover photos. The Best of CafeLit 11 images come from Bridge House Publishing so many thanks to them for those. Images from The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick were taken by me, Allison Symes. Other images created in Book Brush using Pixabay images (with one image directly from Pixabay).
It is with great pleasure I welcome friend and fellow Swanwicker, June Webber, to Chandler’s Ford Today. June and I first met at The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick back in 2016 when I was a “white badger” (first time attendee). June, Val Penny, and I regularly meet up on Zoom.
June also came to the Bridge House Publishing Celebration Event in December 2022 to celebrate having not one but two stories in print with her work appearing in The Best of CafeLit 11.
June has been published in print before back in 2013 with a chapter in Bus Pass Britain Rides Again. Isn’t that a fabulous title? This book was published by Bradt Travel Guides in 2013 and is a collection of 50 bus journeys taken in Britain. June described her local bus journey from Poole to Wimborne and gave background information. Her husband, Mike, contributed a photo to the book too.
One of the nice things about writing is there is no retirement age. You stop when you want to and also people of all ages can get into print. Mary Wesley famously was published for the first time with her The Camomile Lawn in her seventies.
Well done, June, for having two stories in print in one book!
June has written for many years but I thought it would be nice to have her on CFT to talk to us about her writing journey.
Welcome to Chandler’s Ford Today, June!
1. June, can you tell us about what you write, as I believe you write poetry too, and what made you decide to write in the first place?
I write mostly short stories, some poetry, and some memoir. I wrote stories with a friend when I was a girl and have attended various writing classes since.
2. Can you tell us something about your stories in The Best of CafeLit 11 and how you felt when you realised you would be seeing your work here?
Busy Bee is about a woman who is so involved with her community that she neglects her husband. Marmalade is about a woman determined to win a trophy for her marmalade at the village fete. Both stories have an unexpected ending. I was thrilled to have them both chosen for the book.
3. You are also involved with a U3A writing group. Can you tell us how you came to be involved with this and what you feel the benefits of a writing group like this are for people? Your U3A group also put together its own compilation of stories as an ebook? Can you tell us more about that?
I joined U3A (for retired or semi-retired people) after I moved to Dorset, and when a creative writing group was started up, I joined that. There was also a short course nationally on Zoom during lockdown and we have continued to meet monthly, leading in turn. Being part of a group encourages us to write and share our work and give constructive criticism. In 2021 we each submitted a story for an e book and a small number of printed copies.
4. What made you decide to go to The Writers’ Summer School, Swanwick for the first time? How would you say it has helped you? (I would add here that Swanwick often puts on quizzes as part of the evening entertainment. Great fun and June is a whizz at the quiz!).
The leader of my U3A group recommended Swanwick, and I have really enjoyed and benefitted from the teaching and from talking to established writers.
5. Can you share what you love about short stories?
They are quick to write, and I enjoy a variety of themes and characters.
6. Please name your three favourite authors and what makes them special for you. Have any of these influenced your own writing?
Margaret Mitchell, Alexander McColl Smith, P G Wodehouse. I love the characters and settings. They all have strong individual characters and strong plots.
Allison: Am so glad you chose Wodehouse, June. He is one of my favourite authors too and, I think, the funniest writer in the English language. He has inspired so many others too.
7. Can you share three top writing tips you’ve found helpful? Equally is there a writing guide you’ve found helpful?
Be concise and relevant in short stories; leave then edit; don’t be put off by rejection.
Allison: Great tips, June. I would recommend On Writing by Stephen King as an interesting memoir/writing guide. Well written and lots of useful advice in it.
8. What do you think writing does for you? For me it gives me a creative outlet. Am useless at art so am glad to have found a way of being creative which suits me.
I am also useless at art and craft. I can get totally absorbed in writing, and it is something I can still do as long as my brain is functioning.
9. Now I loved English at school and what was known as Composition where we could invent our own stories (the teacher often got on with marking while we did that). That should’ve given me a clue being a writer might be on the cards! It didn’t! How did you find English at school, June? Was creativity encouraged and in which way?
I remember one composition A Day in the Life of a Penny at Junior School. At Grammar School lessons were more about reading and grammar, which are both important to a writer.
10. What is next on your writing journey, June?
I discovered some letters written by my father during the war, which I am editing, and I have started a novel.
Conclusion
June, it was wonderful chatting with you. Your story is an inspirational one and it is a pleasure to share it here. Writing is one of those few areas where age can be a positive advantage as you learn from your writing experiences and build on what has gone before. It is never too late to start that process off.
Writers also need time to hone their craft. I can look back at my early work now and see where I’d improve it but we all have to start somewhere and what is important with the writing journey is getting on it at all!
Happy writing, June, and good luck with further story submissions.
Related Posts:-
Read interviews with Chandler’s Ford writer Allison Symes: Part 1 and Part 2.
Read blog posts by Allison Symes published on Chandler’s Ford Today.
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I’m not sure about short stories being quick to write. Someone once apologised for a long letter he had written. He was sorry, but he had not time to write a shorter version.
Of course, they take less time than a novel and allow you to explore different themes. They help to make one write concisely.
Our U3A group struggles on with only three of us. We call ourselves the ‘Lifers’ as we are preparing autobiographies. Have you any tips for us?
Short stories do take a lot of crafting to get right. Not sure I can give tips on writing autobiographies – really not my field – but what I can say is focus on what would interest your Ideal Reader. Give them the “delicious morsels” which will make them want to read on.
June, would you have any tips for memoir writers?
I am no expert on autobiography, but our u3a group has written to specific themes which could be included at some future date. They are: toys; holidays; schools; teens; homes etc. Some humour and photos make an interesting read. Check your recollections with other members of your family (although these may differ). Do not brag about your achievements, nor be too modest.
I hope you can expand your writing group. We find ten is a good number. Have you tried advertising in the library, or having an article in a local newspaper?
Excellent advice, June, thank you.