Adele Evershed

Hi. My name is Adele Evershed. I am originally from Wales and have been lucky to live both in Hong Kong and Singapore. Now I live in Connecticut with my family. I write both poetry and prose, and recently I have discovered a passion for haiku.

Question 1: What inspired you to start writing?

I started writing scripts for Pantos for an expat theater group. That was great fun, lots of bad jokes and double entendres. When my daughter left for college I found I had a lot more time on my hands so I started to experiment with writing. During the pandemic I did some online courses and workshops which introduced me to flash fiction and prose poetry. Everything has taken off from there.

Question 2: How have your past experiences influenced you as a writer?

I have come to writing quite late in life and that had definitely influenced my writing. I tend to write about women's issues, and the process of aging in a society that only values youth. I've also written a lot about my mother. She died when I was twenty and I think writing about her has helped me process the loss in a way I was unable to do when I was younger.

Question 3: What have you written that you're the most proud of?

My first published prose poem, 'Air Turbulence n Small Spaces' is one I am pleased with. It was one inspired by a feature on the radio and I've used part of the title-Turbulence in Small Spaces as the title of my first poetry chapbook which is being published by Finishing Line Press this year.

Question 4: What do the words “writer’s block” mean to you?

I think my biggest block is time. Balancing a day job, family, and writing can be a challenge. Being an older woman I am aware I am trying to make up for lost time!

Question 5: When did you first call yourself a writer?

I'm still learning to do that.

Question 6: What is your writing process like? Are you more of a plotter or a pantser?

Definitely a pantser trying to become more of a plotter. I am writing a novella in flash and the need to plot the development of the narrative has been a great learning curve for me.

Question 7: Do you play music while you write — and, if so, what’s your favorite?

I mostly listen to BBC Radio 4. Some of their features have inspired poems and flash fictions. If I need some calm thinking time I listen to music from my youth, I particularly like anything by The Beautiful South and recently I have discovered Amy Wadge

Question 8: What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?

Don't self censor. I submitted to an anthology that I really wanted to have a piece accepted by, it was a call for poems about the A470, a road in Wales. I submitted 2 poems that I thought were very strong but as you could send 3 poems I sent a third that I was not so sure about. I'm sure you've guessed, the one that was selected was the third one. So if you are unsure, submit it anyway, the worst that happens is they say no but at least someone has read it.

Question 9: Do you participate in writing challenges on social media? Do you recommend any?

I think writing challenges and prompts have been invaluable in keeping me in the groove, making sure I write something every day. I write a daily haiku from a prompt on Twitter #HaikuChallenge and I try to take part in the Globe Soup writing challenge-they assign you a genre with a prompt and you have 7 days to write 2000 words.

Question 10: Who has been the biggest supporter of your writing?

My daughter, Megan. She was the one who encouraged me to write and submit in the first place. I have four children but only one daughter and although my sons always congratulate me on my publications she is the only one who reads everything I write. Megan is also the one I ask to read my work and give me feedback.