Could you tell us about your short story in one sentence, for the readers who haven’t read it (yet!)?
A group of feisty care home residents seek to exact revenge on a visiting school choir with heart-warming consequences.
Have you always been interested in (comic) writing, or did you fall into it unexpectedly? Have you ever kept a teenage diary?
I have always been interested in writing but fell into comic writing through finding an advert for this competition just days before the deadline. That said, I volunteered with Voluntary Service Overseas many years ago, and used to write letters home, which I later discovered got circulated quite widely. I have lost count of the number of people who told me that they laughed out loud at the contents of the letters (even though I didn't intend for them to be funny), so maybe I have always had a tendency towards humour that I wasn't aware of.
I am embarrassed to say that I did keep a teenage diary and would be absolutely mortified if anyone ever read it!
We'd all love to hear about where you get ideas for your wondrous wit? Do you have any tips you could impart to aspiring witty writers?
I see the funny side of everyday life, so it doesn't take too much to take an ordinary situation, and think 'what if...' I have quite a dry, and unfortunately wicked sense of humour, which has often got me into trouble for laughing when I shouldn't, which probably helps with writing, even if it is otherwise a bit of an embarrassment.
My advice for aspiring witty writers would be, observe how people behave in different situations, apply the question 'what if...' whenever you can, and have fun allowing your characters to do the things that you might like to do but would never dare.
Speaking of which, where does your writing magic happen?
My writing happens at my laptop, which is usually balanced on my knee whilst curled up on the sofa, but if I'm feeling particularly studious, I might sometimes sit at the table so that I can feel as though I am actually working.
What is the best piece of content by a witty woman you've read/watched/listened to/experienced recently?
It's difficult to pick out a single piece (although I would give a shout out to all the authors in The Book of Witty Women, and I particularly enjoyed Lucy Vine's contribution, which I thought was so cleverly done and such a lovely story). However, I really like the observational humour of Jo Brand and Sarah Millican, who can always make me laugh out loud.
Finally, what does being published by CWIP mean to you? Do you have any advice for other witty writers?
Being published by CWIP has been fantastic. To be personally mentioned in book reviews by people who I have never met, but who have enjoyed my writing has been such a validating experience, and it still doesn't feel quite real. Being a writer means that you have to learn to live with rejection, but this opportunity has given me something to spur me on during those tougher times. My advice to other witty writers is give it a go!
Helen says “Can’t wait to see your teenage diary – ‘cringe humour’ is surprisingly potent - I should know!”
Wendy's short story "Care Home Capers" appears in The Book of Witty Women available to purchase now.
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