I interviewed Kuli Kohli who says about herself: “I was born with mild cerebral palsy in northern India and moved to England at an early age. I am a creative writer, poet, mother, wife and full-time council worker. Having the ability to write has made my life richer and more rewarding.” Kuli helps run Blakenhall Writers’ Group and has established a new writers’ group dedicated to Punjabi Women in Wolverhampton.

Leslie: Can you describe, please, how cerebral palsy has affected you. What are the typical issues you face every day? Continue reading POETRY, WRITING GROUPS AND CEREBRAL PALSY →

I interviewed Lisa Holdsworth  scriptwriter for TV episodes of New Tricks, Robin Hood, Emmerdale, Waterloo Road  and more recently, Midsomer Murders, including the fans’ favourite ‘Death by Cheese‘ episode. Lisa is chair of the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain (WGGB) and  has been shortlisted for a BAFTA award for her television writing. She talks about how she became a scriptwriter and what it’s like for writers in British TV today.

Leslie: From childhood onwards, what directed you towards TV script writing?

Lisa: I was a voracious reader as a child and I loved TV. I was initially interested in being a performer and went to drama classes. It was all just elaborate ways of story-telling which I eventually realised was what I loved to do. Continue reading TV SCRIPTWRITER TELLS ALL →

I interviewed writer, artist and filmmaker Susana Medina winner of the Max Aub International Short Story Prize. Susana is a multi-lingual author and poet who has published several volumes of radical, experimental writing. Her work was featured in Best European Fiction, 2014.  Susana has curated international art shows, translated for English PEN, Writers in Prison Programme, and has studied at DAMS , Bologna University, under Umberto Eco and Dario Fo.  Susana is also a climate activist, taking action and appearing on stages for Extinction Rebellion UK, including the Edinburgh Fringe. Currently, she’s writing with Roc Sandford We Are the Asteroid, We Are the Dinosaurs, a dialogue about climate change and ecological collapse, which covers all the rebellions up to date. Continue reading RED TALES, ART AND THE PHILOSOPHY OF REBELLION →

I interviewed writer, speaker, musician and software expert Jess Ingrassellino  about her self-taught skills, her thirst for knowledge, and how creativity has helped her link up the various fields she works in. Jess says, about herself: “I am open to new conversations and new experiences, as I am still writing my story, and it is writing me.”

Leslie: Can you give a brief overview of your activities, please, highlighting the common themes?

Jess: I started my professional life as a private violin teacher when I was 19. It’s how I put myself through college. I grew up in poverty, and had no support of any kind, financial or otherwise, from my family after I left home at 17.  So, I took any jobs I could find, including waitressing, teaching piano, even teaching English grammar. Continue reading FROM SPEAKER & VIOLINIST TO TESTING SOFTWARE →