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Matt The WriterMatt's been writing for years, but it only became more serious when he joined The Wodham Writers Group in July 2002. As one of the early members, the group really bought out his passion for writing. In the Autumn of 2002 the group set about compiling a book, filled with their work and being sold to raise money for Children In Need. The book was a success raising over £500 for the charity. This led to a monthly and later bimonthy newsletter being produced with snapshots of work. But the work within the group was only part of what Matt was doing. He was writing longer stories for his own pleasure. The still untitled Story 1 was completed in June 2003, although Matt now reflects it's not his best work. That's saved for two of his favourite projects; Brother Diaries and The Teacher Who Cared. The Teacher Who Cared The Teacher Who Cared (TWC) was the first completed novel that Matt felt comfortable trying to get published. The story focuses on the second year English A-level class at Southview College who had been awaiting their replacement teacher for some time. But when Andrew James arrives, all is not what it seems. At first Colin, the narrator, senses something is not right. Andrew seems to be getting too friendly with the class, particularly Katia Chambers, who seems to be keen on him. The rest of the class don’t seem particularly concerned and despite rumours that are spreading no one says anything. Andrew first turns nasty when Jack, Colin’s closest friend, lets slip some of the class have been saying he’s a bad teacher. His over reaction to this leads the class to start becoming wary. Andrew then invites himself along to the class Christmas party, and when the alcohol starts flowing Andrew gets carried away with atmosphere. Colin, who couldn’t make the party, knows something isn’t right when for the lesson after the party only Jack turns up, and he won’t say anything. Things go from bad to worse in the New Year when Jack finally has to reveal Colin that Andrew had sex with Katia, who hasn’t been seen since. Jack decides the class have to fight against Andrew, but not everyone is convinced. He manages to persuade Katia to return to class, leaving Andrew stunned. Aware that he’s in an awkward position, Andrew picks on Katia, trying to force her out of the class. Eventually, she drops the bombshell that she’s pregnant, with his child. Soon after that, Katia quits college, unable to take the pounding Andrew is providing. The class begin to turn hostile against Jack, saying he set Katia up just so she could be knocked down again. Andrew, obviously dumbstruck at this revelation insists he’s going to make life hell for Jack, but Jack has a bigger announcement to make, something Andrew thinks he’ll get away with. When Andrew arrives the following week, the tatty case he brings with him harbours his weapon against Jack. Unaware of the contents, Jack suddenly sees his moment to drop his bombshell and Andrew begins to panic. Andrew removes his weapon, a revolver filled with bullets. However, latecomers to the lesson, Jass and Garry, have already alerted former army sergeant and Andrew’s line manager, Barry Holsworth, who then contacts the police. But as Andrew becomes more fractious it’s a fight for life, and when Colin and Jack become the only people left in the room with Andrew, it’s a question of who lives and who dies. The early plot is based around Matt's own English class, although it quickly diverts off course into the ficitional tale that Matt was pleased with. However, despite the letters to publishers Matt wasn't accepted. Brother Diaries Matt proclaims this is the best thing he's completed, the story of Tom, Callum and Lee who had been friends for as long as anyone cared to remember. They did everything together, and Lee was like an extra brother to the twins. Following an argument with Cheryl (Lee’s girlfriend’s) ex Tyrone, Lee is found dead in the road by the police. Unable to take it in, Tom & Callum instantly assume that Tyrone has something to do with it. But their struggle with their own grief drives them apart, and Callum finds some comfort in Robert, someone who just appears at the right time. Tom’s not instantly keen on Robert, sure there is something beneath his cool surface that Callum cannot see, but Callum sees this as unwanted interference by his brother, and so trusts Robert more and more. Then Tom goes missing, and although Callum wants to blame Tyrone, he also begins to learn that Cheryl and Robert have a history, and that Robert is not at all what he seems. Matt still hasn't got around to trying to publish this second story, but maintains it must be done - it's too good to keep on the PC The Story Continues Due to work commitments, Matt's taken some time out of The Woodham Writers Group, who produced their second book in 2004. This time Matt was the Editor and it was an ambitious but relatively successful project. £400 was raised for Children in Need, down on the previous project but still a grand effort by all involved. Matt also continues to write in his spare time. Currently he is focusing on a Sci-Fi plot set on the planet Galatisoy. When completed it's apparently set to challenge Brother Diaries as the best thing Matt's written. In March 2006 he won second place in The Woodham Writers Competition, with his version of the story behind song No Regrets by Robbie Williams. |
