The onslaught of the real academic pursuits as I approached my teenage years meant that my childhood dream of writing stories faded into the background and became dormant. I then entered the world of work in the admin/finance sector, until I was struck by a life changing event.
In mid 1998, I suffered a severe period of ill health that caused me to lose my job on medical grounds. I underwent a number of hospital tests, including head scans, to find out why I was having regular episodes of losing my balance. It was later diagnosed as Menieres. Whilst in my recovery period, and being housebound, I needed something to occupy my mind; salvation was found when my writing dream was revived.
I enrolled in a home-based Creative Writing course with The Writers' Bureau and, after completing an NVQ Accountancy course at Queen Elizabeth's Training College for the Disabled in Leatherhead without any real problems, made a good enough recovery to return to work part time. In 2004, whilst I was living up north for a few years, I enrolled onto a classroom based Creative Writing course ran by Derbyshire County Council and tutored by Derek M Fox, an established published author. Very quickly, I learnt a lot about where I had gone wrong with my previous writing. Using my new-found knowledge, I took the decision to rewrite from scratch all the short stories, articles and the one completed novel that I had previously done with The Writers' Bureau. I successfully attained Level One and Two writing qualifications in Creative Writing and in the process, started on another novel, entitled 'Early Memory', which became my first published novel.
Away from writing, I enjoy watching movies/sports, reading, travelling, listening to music and playing bingo. I have lived on the south coast of England for over 30 years and currently reside in Havant.
Contact the author at: marradford@virginmedia.com
Featured In:
Ovingdean Hall School - Spring 2006 Newsletter
The Menieres Society - Spring 2006 issue of "Spin" magazine
Hearing Concern - Spring 2006 magazine
Hampshire Deaf Association - November 2007 Newsletter
Portsmouth City Council Libraries website 'The Book Case' - Author Profile
The Stamford Mercury - July 2009 Newspaper
TV Interview on programme 'Wicked 2' - August 2009 www.bslbt.co.uk/wicked series 2, programme four.
Deaf Sussex Today - December 2009 Magazine.
