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Vicky’s creative writing victory at Teesside

22 July 2011

 

Celebrated novelist Adele Parks is helping to inspire Teesside University student Vicky Brown to a literary career.

Teesside University Honorary Graduate Adele launched a short story competition for creative writing students in the University’s School of Arts & Media and also for University staff.

Adele wrote the beginning of a short story and set the aspiring authors the challenge of completing it.

Vicky Brown, 33, of Ingleby Barwick, Stockton-on-Tees, who is due to graduate from the MA Creative Writing later this year, was named overall winner.

The five top stories will be published in a booklet to be given out at Adele’s promotional events across the UK and will also feature on her website.

Having dreamed of becoming a published author write from a young age, Vicky also decided to have a 'back-up plan' with a degree in PR and Marketing at Teesside University. She then went on to work in public relations and project management before starting a family.

Vicky, who is mum to Lexi, two and Gabriella, four said: 'I have always wanted to write and wanted to concentrate on developing my writing career while the children are still young. Completing the MA has helped me to put the techniques and skills in place to work towards being a published author.

The MA has been a real learning curve 'I felt the time was right to concentrate on developing my writing skills and the MA has been a real learning curve. It has helped immensely when thinking about techniques and writing skills. I now approach my writing in a different way, using the skills I’ve learned in editing and drafting.'

She added: 'I’m a massive Adele Parks fan, her writing if full of humour and relates to women. I’m really looking forward being mentored by her as part of the prize.

'It’s unbelievable to think what has come from entering the competition, which came from being a Teesside University student. It’s a fantastic opportunity. I really want to write contemporary women’s fiction and the MA has helped me to get the skills I need in place.'

Commenting on Vicky’s win, Adele said: 'I liked the humour, tension, character development. It's a clean script, definitely the strongest.'

Competition runner-up is Martin Leyland, a postgraduate student adviser in the University’s Graduate Research School. Adele said: 'I know we didn't say we'd have a runner up but I think it is nice as the story was a strong second.'

Other finalists highlighted by Adele include Helen Victoria Anderson, MA Creative Writing, Diane Leake, MA Creative Writing and staff member Hayley Hart.

Speaking when she launched the competition, Adele said: 'Teesside University is particularly special to me, not only because I’m from the area; I’m also the proud recipient of an honorary doctorate. I love being involved in University life.'

Originally from Eaglescliffe, Adele went from working in advertising to become a top-ten bestseller with her first novel Playing Away. She has gone on to have ten top-ten bestsellers in ten years. One and a half million copies of Adele's books have been sold in the UK and her work is translated into 25 different languages.


 
 
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