PhD In Progress: Creative Writing

My relationship with Huddersfield University started all the way back in 2014 when I joined as an undergraduate student on the BA English Literature with Creative Writing course. Prior to this, I had spent a year studying BA Education, Culture & Childhood at The University of Sheffield. Though I loved Sheffield and met some amazing people, as well as learning valuable things about education and child psychology, something was missing. Ever since I can remember I have loved books and writing. In primary school we were asked to write a story in our literacy class; I wrote a story called ‘A message in a bottle’. Later that night I wrote a sequel (we hadn’t been asked to do this) and even stained the paper with teabags to make it look old! The next day I handed it to my surprised teacher, who then read it out to the class. Whilst the course at Sheffield had lots of benefits and gave me many prospects, it wasn’t satisfying my creative side. I decided to withdraw from my studies, take some time out and apply for a different course so I could study English Literature and Creative Writing.

 

As I lived at home, I needed somewhere I could commute to and from easily. I’d heard a lot of good things about Huddersfield and thought it seemed the right place for me. As soon as I started in September 2014, I felt at home and comfortable. The English Literature & Creative Writing department staff were professional, welcoming and diverse. Over the course of the three years, I enjoyed many elements of my degree. I enjoyed modules such as Literary Histories, The ABC of Creative Writing and Liberating Poetic Chaos. The course allowed me to fulfil my goal of obtaining a degree in English Literature whilst learning so many new things and reading some truly amazing texts - a personal favourite was Trumpet by Jackie Kay. But, it also helped me discover that poetry was the genre I enjoyed writing the most and that I was the best at. I enjoyed writing poetry and developing as a writer so much so that I decided I wanted to continue at Huddersfield University studying for an MA in Creative Writing.

Like many people, I started university with the goal to finish my undergraduate degree and not really knowing what I wanted to do afterwards. Also, like most people, I had my fair share of ups and downs along the way. But when I reached third year, motivation peaked and I knew for sure that postgraduate study was the direction I wanted to go in. So that’s what I did! I thoroughly enjoyed the Masters by Research course in Creative Writing, especially working with my supervisor, Steve Ely. I created a pamphlet-sized collection of poems exploring the lives of modern British people through the medium of the northern rail network, alongside an accompanying critical commentary. I found the research and writing process fun, interesting and very beneficial. At the end, I received the mark of pass with minor editorial corrections which is fantastic and the report was beyond what I could’ve hoped for. I felt the university were really invested in me as a writer and my academic progress, which helped massively.

 

I knew very early on during my MA that I wanted to study for a PhD. My studies and experience at Huddersfield have shown me that I want to pursue a career in academia and use my experience with Creative Writing to help develop others. In January this year I began what will be a three-year journey through a PhD in Creative Writing. On the strength of my research proposal and reputation as a student, I was very lucky to receive full funding for my fees, from the school of English Literature and Creative Writing itself. This has made studying for my PhD possible and has also opened up new opportunities for me. As part of the fee-wavier I will be teaching some undergraduate classes to gain experience and I am also helping organise research seminars. In preparation for the teaching I completed the TAPP course here at Huddersfield, which stands for Teaching Assistant Preparation Programme. This course gave me vital skills and the mental preparation for teaching. This course also gave me the opportunity to network with other research students, many of which I probably wouldn’t have encountered otherwise. I spent time with students whose research included business investments in china and plant-based cures for Malaria.

 

Day to day, most of my work involves reading, researching and then simply writing the poems, followed by editing, editing and more editing. The teaching and the research seminars are an essential part of my whole PhD experience and will help continue to develop my academic profile. So far I’m relishing in the experience. I am now halfway through my first year and my first progression viva is fast approaching. My project is a collection of poems presenting and exploring the behaviours and achievements of range of women in the fullness of their humanity, with a theoretical and critical commentary to accompany. Alongside my academic writing, I have been building my writing portfolio and have already achieved small success in the poetry industry and the wider world of writing. I have been published in print and online, been commended and shortlisted for competitions, collaborated on a short film and a theatre project and most excitingly, I will have my own poetry pamphlet published by Maytree Press in September 2019. I am optimistic, excited and perhaps somewhat nervous about the next couple of years, but I’m more than ready for it!

 

 

Interested in postgraduate study? Find out more at our Postgraguate Study Fair.