Sponsor the writers for Macmillan Cancer Support at https://www.justgiving.com/page/greeninksponsoredwrite2023
1) Hello! Tell us a bit about yourself, writing, and/or life outside writing?
Hello! My name is Isabella Barbieri and I am a British-Italian writer. I have been currently studying a Creative Writing MA at the University of Roehampton, which is where I met Rachel. I mainly enjoy writing low fantasy and comedic short stories and I am currently working on a novel. Outside of writing I try to read as much as I can, mainly fantasy or mythological retellings. I also spend a lot of time listening to anything that has been narrated by Stephen Fry.
2) Are you a ‘deadlines person’? Is that part of the attraction or the challenge?
Yes! I am very much a deadlines person, especially close ones. When I have too much time, I find myself in my head a lot more, worrying about the quality of my writing. When there is a shorter deadline, the thought of this overrides my usual and impressively persistent anxiety and allows me to focus solely on the task at hand! This aspect of the sponsored write is very exciting to me and will be a great challenge! – I am really looking forward to it!
3) Many involved have personal connections with Macmillan Cancer Support. Do you want to share any experience of the charity’s work?
I have never personally worked with Macmillan Cancer Support before but I know of all the great work they do and am in awe of it. Cancer is something that touches the lives of so many people and I am incredibly grateful to be part of the Macmillan Sponsored Write and to be supporting such a great cause and charity.
4) What do you make of Paul Tremblay’s theme for this year, A Well of Strength/The Strength of Will?
I really love Paul Tremblay’s chosen theme, as there is so much creative freedom and the theme can be interpreted in so many different ways. Sometimes having the strength to do something small compared to other, more stereotypical forms of strength can take just as much will power, so for me this theme has given me the opportunity to really explore the many ways strength and strength of will can be embodied.
5) Absolutely anything else you’d like to share! 🙂
I am really looking forward to the Macmillan Sponsored Write and I am really grateful to be a part of it. I want to say a big thank you to Rachel for inviting me to join and for organising such a great event in aid of Macmillan, and to all the people who have donated so far! 🙂
Vanessa Thompsett
1) Hello! Tell us about yourself, your writing and how you discovered the Sponsored Write?
Hello! I’m a writer and tutor living in Oxford. I write mainly prose, mostly short stories, and I’m working on the second draft of my first fantasy novel. I’d heard of the Sponsored Write and thought it sounded lovely, then Rachel kindly invited me to this year’s!
2) Are you a “deadlines person” outside the Sponsored Write? Is the time-limit part of the challenge or the attraction?
Both attraction and challenge! I’ve done a few rounds of NYC Midnight before and it can be a lot of fun to ride that adrenaline rush for a couple of days.
3) Many involved have personal connections with Macmillan Cancer Support. Do you want to share any experience of the charity’s work?
I’ve called MCS a few times in the past couple of years, and they’ve always been kind and helpful. It’s great to know you can phone up and ask the ‘stupid/silly’ question, or voice the fear, or just think out loud.
4) What do you make of Paul Tremblay’s theme for this year, A Well of Strength/The Strength of Will?
I’m mainly hoping I do it justice! It’s puttering away in the back of mind, ready to be thought about properly in October. I’m looking forward to seeing how we all interpret it.
5) Absolutely anything else you’d like to share! 🙂
I’ll be writing while pet-sitting for some friends, so if a plump little tabby or particularly endearing black dog ends up featuring in my story, that’ll be why…