Since childhood, I have always enjoyed writing. Sadly, my parents, from the farming community, thought it a waste of time. As a child, I would take our dog for a walk, stopping in the woods and sitting under an old, gnarled, oak tree. It had a large open knot in the bark, and I would leave my notepad and pen in there so that I could sit and write about my week, and also a short story that would pop into my mind and replace it before returning home.
My parents always thought I dallied taking the dog for his walk. In the winter, I would venture to our local library on a Saturday, where the librarian was so kind and kept a box full of my short stories under her counter. I also had the chance to read my favourite authors; Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, and others.
Having left school and moved on, and sadly, the death of our librarian, I forgot all about the box; I sometimes wondered what happened to it. Did someone find it, and wonder who the writer might be.
I didn't start writing again until after the birth of my children when I joined a writer's class in Helmsley, North Yorkshire. We had an excellent tutor who encouraged us all to follow our dreams. There, I started my children's stories based on the North York Moors Railway adventures, which still haven't come to fruition.
My daughter Emma and I are volunteering at Radio Stitch North Tees Hospital.
Emma plays music, and I read short stories. Everything is pre-recorded and goes out on Sundays for Emma's Afternoon Tea. We have been doing this for many years. Occasionally, we invite a guest to come and read their stories or poems—such an enjoyable time.
Our compilations of short stories from the Stockton Scribblers writers group. Our tutor, Joan Opie, without whose encouragement and help I would not have completed my debut novel.
My son Richard is relaxing with a coffee after a morning of volunteering at James Cook Hospital.
Listen to my Author's Show Interview:
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Listen to my Radio Stitch Interview:
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"We loved watching the wonderful Linda Dooks, a member of ARC's Creative Writing class, participate in the Local Author Showcase at the Crossing the Tees Book Festival at Stockton Central Library last night, alongside five other brilliant Tees Valley writers.
Linda's debut novel, Land of Opportunity, was published last year by Blossom Spring Publishing, and its follow up is on the way - we can't wait.
We're so proud of you, Linda!"
