Claudette's Pen To Paper artwork

Claudette's Pen To Paper

30 episodes - English - Latest episode: 3 months ago -

My podcasts are all about putting Pen to Paper and creating something new and exciting; giving a new angle to fact or generating absorbing fiction. I'm Claudette Evans, and putting pen to paper is exactly what I’ve been doing all my life, be it writing songs or stories. I love writing fiction best, although I have been know to turn my hand to poetry, enjoying the challenge of a writing group's prompt as this can take you out of your comfort zone and encourage you to think outside the box.I also use my previous life's skills to record writings and interviews other writers from within one of my three writing groups. All supported by Awen Cultural Trust in the hope it will persuade more aspiring writers to put Pen to Paper.

Mental Health Health & Fitness Arts creative writing stories music
Homepage Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed

Episodes

Pen to Paper Episode 2

January 04, 2024 09:00 - 33 minutes - 22.8 MB

In this episode I talk more about what influenced my journey into writing. It also features poems by nonagenarian Jean Harding, a member of both Bridgend Writers' Circle and Bridgend u3a. I also read one of my early science fiction stories 'Adamstown' brought about by one of my favourite quotes from Miles Davis in reference on how to playing jazz: “Don't play what's there, play what's not there.”  This can easily be translated to writing as “Don’t write what you see, write what you don’t se...

Pen to Paper Episode 1

December 05, 2023 16:00 - 33 minutes - 23 MB

My podcasts are all about putting Pen to Paper and creating something new and exciting; giving a new angle to fact or generating absorbing fiction.  I'm Claudette Evans, and putting pen to paper is exactly what I’ve been doing all my life, be it writing songs or stories. I love writing fiction best, although I have been know to turn my hand to poetry, enjoying the challenge of a writing group's prompt as this can take you out of your comfort zone and encourage you to think outside the box. I...

Pen to Paper Episode 22 BWC Saviker Winner

January 27, 2023 09:00 - 24 minutes - 16.8 MB

In this special Podcast I’m featuring the winner of Bridgend Writers’ Circle’s winner of the Saviker Shield, which for the 2nd year in succession was myself. 

Pen to Paper with Mike Hayes

December 23, 2022 09:00 - 44 minutes - 30.9 MB

In this special Podcast I’m featuring a recent conversation I had with Bridgend Writers' Circle's last season's winner of the Railton and Endeavour Competitions,  past winner and the 21/22 season’s runner-up of Bridgend Writers’ Circle’s Saviker Shield, Mike Hayes.  Mike gives us an insight into his thought process and reads the winning entries.

Pen to Paper with Kevin Bryant

November 25, 2022 09:00 - 35 minutes - 24.1 MB

During lockdown and through Stronger Together Bridgend, I was introduced to a gentleman who has written many, many poems about the mining community and life in the valleys. Now, thanks to Awen Cultural Trust Kevin has published a children's Christmas story about Dewii the Dragon, and more recently a book of his poems.

Pen to Paper Episode 19 Halloween II

October 28, 2022 08:00 - 26 minutes - 18 MB

Fear comes in many shapes and forms. Could you find inspiration in the thing or things you fear most? In this Halloween special I explore the thoughts behind writing a good scary ghost or horror story

Pen to Paper Episode Eighteen - Fantasy

September 23, 2022 08:00 - 31 minutes - 22 MB

In this episode we’ll be exploring the world of fantasy, with readings from Bridie Banwell and Kevin Bryant.

Pen to Paper with Malcolm Cowper

August 31, 2022 13:00 - 31 minutes - 21.6 MB

I am delighted in this my seventeenth Podcast to be sharing with you an interview I recently had with local author and member of Porthcawl u3a, Malcolm Cowper.  Malcolm talks about his early life, how the books came about and includes readings from his third book, 'Reluctant Warriors' the stories of those men conscripted into the various branches of the armed services to do their National Service.

Pen to Paper Episode 16

July 22, 2022 07:00 - 31 minutes - 21.4 MB

Do you like to write autobiographically? I think we all do – to some extent!’ So, in this episode I’ll be exploring the art of autobiographical writing. 

Pen to Paper Episode 15 Villains

June 24, 2022 08:00 - 31 minutes - 21.7 MB

Our first contact with a villain or villains, is most probably in a comic book form and there are plenty of villains to instil fear, chills, and terror in the hearts of the citizens of the DC Universe.  After all, if everyone was always nice and good and honest all the time, in the words of Villanelle, from the 'Killing Eve' books and TV series, we’d find literature ‘boring’! 

Pen to Paper Episode 14

May 27, 2022 08:00 - 41 minutes - 28.4 MB

Often the first thing we learn in creative writing, is all about ‘Show NOT Tell.’ So, being able to use all five senses in a piece of writing is a sure-fire way to draw your readers into the story.  In this episode I'll be exploring how sprinkling in specific details that appeal to readers’ five senses (sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell) will bring your scenes to life and make them feel richer and more interesting. 

Pen to Paper Episode 13

April 22, 2022 07:00 - 32 minutes - 22.6 MB

Writing for children is just as challenging as writing for adults. In fact, it’s more so because not only do you have to include all the same elements as you would in a book for adults, you also need to write it in a form that’s suitable for children.  They love a good opening, middle and ending in the same way that any adult does. No-one wants to read a story that makes no sense and leads nowhere! This episode explores poems and stories written with children and young adults in mind.

Pen to Paper Episode 12 Ghosts

March 25, 2022 09:00 - 31 minutes - 21.8 MB

Ghost stories have a close focus on evoking feelings of terror and dread, building them up into a horrifying climax. Most hauntings are tied to locations, especially the place where the ghost lived, died or was buried. In this Podcast our locations are a town centre, an east coast town and a newly finished recording studio.

Pen to Paper Episode 11 Sci-Fi Special

February 25, 2022 08:00 - 39 minutes - 27.1 MB

Sci-Fi explores the potential consequences of scientific, social, and technological innovations and deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as space-exploration, time-travel, parallel-universes, and extra-terrestrial life.  With Sci-Fi, our characters often find themselves dealing with disturbing or unusual events, sometimes with sinister and wryly comedic undertones, with an unexpected twist ending. This podcast features stories covering all of the above, so sit back, relax as I...

Pen to Paper Episode Ten - A Valentine's Special

January 28, 2022 09:00 - 32 minutes - 22.3 MB

The Feast of Saint Valentine was established by Pope Gelasius I in AD 496 who decreed it be celebrated on February 14th to commemorate the anniversary of Valentine’s death or burial, which probably occurred around A.D. 270. In this podcast you'll readings from three new voices, all members of Bridgend Writers' Circle along with some old favourites.  I hope the varied stories and poems on offer will give you inspiration to put 'Pen to Paper' and get writing.

Pen to Paper Episode Nine - Christmas Special

December 24, 2021 08:00 - 41 minutes - 28.5 MB

We have the Victorians to thank for many of our most loved festive traditions, including sending cards and decorating Christmas trees. However, much of our understanding of a merrie old English Christmas has more to do with the writings of Charles Dickens, because before the 19th Century, Christmas was barely celebrated in Britain.  In this episode, you’ll hear writings from Bridie Banwell, Kevin Bryant, David Watkins, and a new 'voice' Pat Forster, all stories and poems with a Christmas the...

Pen to Paper Episode Eight

November 26, 2021 09:00 - 34 minutes - 23.7 MB

In this my eighth episode, you’ll hear writings from my fellow scribblers, in particular the runners-up of Bridgend Writers Circle’s Saviker Shield. Runner-up  was Mike Hayes, his crime story taking second place. Entitled ‘I Didn’t Mean It To Happen’ – a story of the requisition of farmland at Slapton Sands during WWII and a young man’s sweet revenge. Full of interesting details with a bittersweet twist. This is followed by my memoir entry ‘My First Days At School’  and then Gerry Ezard's ve...

Pen to Paper Episode Seven (Halloween Special)

October 22, 2021 08:00 - 36 minutes - 25.2 MB

Celebrated on 31st of October, the tradition of Halloween originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts.  In this episode I’m concentrating on the popular genre of ‘Horror’; speculative fiction whose purpose is to create feelings of fear, dread, repulsion, and terror in the reader, featuring stories and poems from Bridgend Writers Circle.  For further information regarding Bridgend Writers Circle, go to www.bridg...

Pen to Paper Episode 6

September 24, 2021 07:00 - 31 minutes - 21.6 MB

In this  episode, you’ll hear writings from my fellow scribblers, in particular the winning entries of Bridgend Writers Circle’s Saviker Shield and Keith Cole Poetry Competition. Although this year’s judge of the Saviker Shield didn’t feel a short story was the correct vehicle for a piece of crime fiction, he chose my ‘A Winter’s Tale’ as the winning entry. The second category was won by Mike Hayes, with his memoir 'My First Days', recounting those early school years. The final category was ...

Pen to Paper Episode Six

September 24, 2021 07:00 - 31 minutes - 21.6 MB

In this  episode, you’ll hear writings from my fellow scribblers, in particular the winning entries of Bridgend Writers Circle’s Saviker Shield and Keith Cole Poetry Competition. Although this year’s judge of the Saviker Shield didn’t feel a short story was the correct vehicle for a piece of crime fiction, he chose my ‘A Winter’s Tale’ as the winning entry. The second category was won by Mike Hayes, with his memoir 'My First Days', recounting those early school years. The final category was ...

Pen to Paper Episode Five

August 20, 2021 08:00 - 33 minutes - 23 MB

In my fifth podcast I’m exploring how song titles or lyrics can be used to create a story.  When I asked one poet I had pleasure of putting music to her words what inspired her writings, Dillian Patrick told me ‘Song lyrics, poetry and a love of words can be exhilarating. I did not discover this until I became adult so, I hope to encourage young people to try exploring their thoughts and write about them.' So you'll hear a song, lyrics by Dillian Patrick and stories inspired by song titles f...

Pen to Paper Episode Four

July 24, 2021 10:00 - 30 minutes - 20.9 MB

Song titles and included lines and phrases are often the starting point for popular fiction  and in this episode I’m going to be exploring the connections between stories, poetry and song lyrics. And have you thought by using a song title for a ‘prompt’, you would never be lost getting the creative juices flowing!  There's a song I demoed for Dorset poet John Hobbs entitled ‘In 2 Today’ and  I'll be reading article I wrote on Bob Dylan inspired by a Bridgend U3A Writer’s Group prompt and ano...

Pen to Paper Episode Three

June 25, 2021 08:00 - 34 minutes - 23.5 MB

This time I’m looking at how inspirations for our writings are shaped by emotions and the influences loyalty, birth, location, and pride of a nation play in our putting pen to paper.  There's a song 'Man's Best Friend' and two takes on 'Welshness', then some poems by  a member of Bridgend Writer's Circle, Aberkenfig's own Kevin Bryant, ending with two more writings from members of Porthcawl's U3A.

Pen to Paper Episode Two

May 28, 2021 08:00 - 33 minutes - 22.9 MB

In my first podcast, I briefly mentioned my involvement with Freedom Fighter, a rock band comprising of six young men, all of whom suffered from Muscular Dystrophy.  In this podcast I’m going to start with a song we opened every set with, as it reflects, the dreams and inspirations of many young people, that of becoming a Rockstar!  Then I'm going to pay tribute to a  lady who writes the most amazing poetry, as well as penning some brilliant short stories. A member of both the Bridgend U3A w...

Pen to Paper Episode One

April 27, 2021 16:00 - 33 minutes - 23 MB

In this episode, I'm going to tell you a little about myself and events which have influenced my writings. You'll  hear some music, poems and memories from my childhood; a story 'Strangers on a Train'  is a spy thriller,  a story of pure fiction -  though, I am assured, geographically correct, this came from watching too many old black and white spy thrillers on TV, finishing off with a Haiku Poem.

We Are Family

May 29, 2020 12:00 - 29 minutes - 20.6 MB

In this special episode, we hear all about Maesteg Special Families. Claire and her team of volunteers are true heroes in the community at this very difficult time we are all experiencing with the current Covit 19 crisis. For more details about this podcast please visit www.takecarebridgend.co.uk Also, this podcast is supported by www.StrongerTogetherBridgend.co.uk

Same As - Part 2

April 23, 2020 23:00 - 18 minutes - 12.7 MB

This is the second part of Same As following on from last month looking at what Bridgend County Borough Council offers parents and carers of young people with special needs during school holidays and after school. This wonderful provision, unfortunately, ends at the age of 18 and so in this episode, we hear first hand from parents and young people how they feel about this and how much they value the service provided by Leanne Rowlands and her team at the local authority. For more informati...

Same As- Part 1

March 28, 2020 09:00 - 12 minutes - 8.45 MB

Take Care is a podcast for carers by carers and in this month's episode, Geoff takes us into the world of caring for young people with learning disabilities. It's the first of two consecutive episodes that look at two schemes that Bridgend County Borough Council delivers namely Discovery Days and After School Club. We will hear from Leanne Rowlands that is the overall coordinator of this work and also herself a parent to her own children with special needs as well as other parents and youn...

Fit for Caring

February 28, 2020 00:00 - 14 minutes - 10.2 MB

In this episode, Geoff Cheetham highlights the importance of keeping active and fit as a carer. No need to run marathons or lift any heavyweights, but rather simply looking after your health. For more info or to get in touch please visit www.takecarebridgend.co.uk

Take Care - episode 1

December 04, 2019 16:00 - 26 minutes - 18.4 MB

This podcast is aimed at reaching as many carers from in and around the county borough of Bridgend, South Wales, United Kingdom. Geoff Cheetham is the host of this monthly podcast and this episode includes a very moving testimony from Jacky that cares for her husband with dementia whilst throwing herself into being part of Off Duty carers choir. We also hear from Lucy that works for the Alzheimer's Society on what they have to offer to help and lastly, Allie leads us in a meditation to fini...