The write stuff: how a Coleg Llandrillo evening class helped Gus publish his first novel
For Gus Wood, coming to the creative writing evening classes at Coleg Llandrillo’s Abergele campus gave him the momentum to finish the novel he’d been working on for a long time.
“I've started so many books,” said Gus. “I’ve always done bits of writing but attending the course has given me the confidence to do more,” he added. “With encouragement from my tutor I finally finished the book and self-published it.”
Relaxed, friendly, welcoming and well structured, are just some of the words Gus uses to describe the course. “It's been absolutely brilliant meeting other people with similar ideas to me,” he said. “They might write about different topics but it's lovely to share ideas and explore different ways of expressing things.”
Gus also found the course a great way to spark new writing projects.
“I've had discussions with people that inspired ideas for books, plays and poetry. It's been really inspiring, and I enjoy hearing other people's work too,” he continued.
As well as giving Gus confidence and faith in his abilities, the course has also helped him gain vital editing skills. “It’s helped me to refine what I’m already doing,” he said. “I’ve gained hints, tips and tricks from the tutor and sharing ideas with other people in the class is really helpful too.”
The evening class opened up further opportunities for Gus when he had the chance to enter a writing competition within the college.
“I submitted a piece of work not thinking for a moment that anything would come of it, and was really thrilled to win the competition. I won a £50 voucher, which was great, but it was just wonderful getting some recognition for my work and it boosted my confidence.”
Gus’s novel, Broken Pictures, came out on Amazon last June and he’s already busy working on his next projects. “I've started writing sort of one or two more things and I've got another book that's well on its way to being finished hopefully in the next few months.”
Well done Gus, what a great achievement. We wish you all the best for your next novel.
You can find out more about Gus on his website: https://ghwood.co.uk/
Are you interested in putting pen to paper? Whether you are looking for a career change, a new hobby or to just get creative and meet like-minded people, visit our website to see our varied schedule of part-time courses for adults: https://www.gllm.ac.uk/online-prospectus/part-time