As a child I loved writing! At school and at home I would write my own stories and plays and once I even created my own unique language and accompanying dictionary - playing with words was and still is a wonderful pastime of mine! In primary school I was selected to attend a workshop with a real-life author!! Being over 20 something years ago, I don't remember who the actual author was but I do remember being chosen to sit in the school staffroom in chairs that were far too big for me and share some of my writing with him!
As a teenager I continued to be encouraged by my teachers to write and in my 6th form year I came 2nd in an essay competition with my short story, 'The Clock'. It was based upon a young Maori boy who was forced to leave his urban life due to the untimely death of his parents in an accident, to live with his koro and kui down at the marae. While it outlines some of the boy's adjustments to life 'in the country' it basically underscores the tenuous relationship between modernity and Maoritanga. One comment I received from a teacher was how my short story sounded very 'Witi Ihimaera'-ish with its symbolism and approach. I wondered for the first couple of weeks afterwards whether that teacher thought I had stolen the story from Ihimaera's canon (or merely copied the majority of it and changed a few words here and there!) but soon came to realise after much second-guessing that it was indeed a well-deserved comment of praise.
The following year while in Form 7, I was asked by my English teacher to write an essay on 'World Peace' for a national competition . My main character was a totara tree whose pure beauty spoke of the need of unity and peace in the world. When I re-read it now and again I do admittedly find myself cringing in parts! But as an idealistic 16 year old these were my thoughts at the time! And my thoughts won me the national competition with my prize being a month-long trip to Japan - a pivotal time in my life that gave me new perspectives and insights to consider along with a wealth of friends for life from all corners of the globe that are still my friends today!
At university I studied for a Diploma of Teaching and a Bachelor of Education and was lucky enough to be named a top scholar for my undergraduate degree. I did not take up the offer of free post-graduate study that was given to me as a reward for my studying, I instead 'hit the chalkface' and taught for 3 and a half years before getting the itch again and returning to post-graduate study while being an Assistant Lecturer. I had a couple of journals accept articles I had written for publication during my time as an 'academic'. I graduated with a MEd(Hons) degree and then my wife and I moved to Northern Ireland.
I currently reside in Belfast having spent most of the my last five years here thinking about writing but not actually getting to do much of it!! Other priorities have taken place, namely two beautiful daughters, another mortgage, a full-time teaching job and a bit of travelling about. Now, the writing urge is resurfacing again...
