My name is Richard Winston. I am a retired teacher of languages, living in Sidcup. Since retirement I have written a couple of novels and a memoir. The novel, called “The Seed of Change”, is currently with Troubador Publishers and is due for release on 28th September.
My memoir, called “A Brief History of Me and My Time” is about my life before our son was born. This extract gives an indication of how I got into writing.
I had recently acquired a new computer which was installed in our third bedroom, now converted into a small study. The cyber-world had advanced considerably since the early days of the ZX81 and this new toy offered endless word-processing opportunities. Which particular words, I wondered, should I process? I know, I’ll write a novel! It should be easy now that I have a word processor. Twenty or more years later, and after a succession of exponentially more powerful computers, I am still writing this novel. However, I am determined that one day it will be finished.
Well, I did get it finished and first self-published “The Seed of Change” with Troubador Publishers back in 2010. It had some mixed reviews with some people saying they “loved” it, while others found the opening chapters of the book a little difficult to navigate through the frequent time shifts. So a year ago I decided to rewrite those pesky opening chapters which now offer a smoother ride. Once again, Troubador are handling the publication with a release date of 28th September.
What is the book about? Well, here is the blurb that sits on the back cover of the novel:
Why is France Mary O’Donnell, unloved, single and forty, carrying a child? Whose child? She cannot remember.
Her life is filled with bizarre coincidences which lead her to believe that the infant growing inside her is retribution for her role in the tragic death of her mother many years ago.
The truth, however, is a little more complex!
Regarding links to Dartford, apart from living literally on the boundary separating Dartford and Bexley, I have had two photography exhibitions at the Mick Jagger Centre and also a couple of Photo Sales. I was asked to take photos at the 25th Anniversary event. I am also one of the judges of the Friends of Footscray Meadow group’s annual photo competition. My son is a singer/songwriter and has given concerts at the centre, including being the support act for Mick Jagger’s brother’s group.
I also give talks on Wildlife Photography to a variety of organisations in and around Dartford like the WI, U3A, ARA and so on. I have now added another talk, which I am calling “Birth or the Book”, which is, of course, about how I went about writing “The Seed of Change”.