English and Creative Writing | Student Stories

Leon A.C. Qualls, 28, from Glasgow, Scotland, graduted from Glamorgan’s BA [Hons] Creative and Professional Writing with a first in 2009.

I’ve been writing stories since I was a wean [kid], so I had a natural feeling for writing but no structural basis/knowledge for writing stories in a proper format.

After a life of humdrum working, drinking, women and poverty, I have plenty to write about and wanted an outlet for all my tales. On a personal note, I wanted purpose in my life, something I could do till my last breath. I know now that I’ll die with head on laptop, and that is a comforting thought.

I chose Glamorgan as the course was rated highly and Wales seemed a pretty, wee country for a writer to be in. Plus it’s cheaper and friendlier than London!

The lecturers at Glamorgan are second-to-none. They are very friendly, interpersonal and most importantly, good at their job. Rob Middlehurst is the man if you want to further your understanding of the writing process. Barrie Llewelyn is great too – very friendly and very encouraging. And if you like writing for children, no one is more qualified than Philip Gross. A younger tutor (around my age) is Trevor Byrne, and working with him is fantastic; he has a real hunger for the writing process.

I love writing fiction and non-fiction. I particularly enjoy writing in the first person viewpoint, in a humorous style and usually based on my own life. It is great to see other’s enjoy and laugh with my work.

Writing creatively is the best feeling in the world. If you have a passion for writing, then having the excuse to write in order to gain a degree means you are one lucky person. And this course will guide you in all the ways you need, and more.

When I graduate I want to be a full-time writer and travel. Naturally, I want to be famous! But I’ll settle for leaving a decent body of work to cheer up people, and cause rib-tickling laughs when read in the library whilst I’m dust in the ground.