Mark O'Connor Member Member since 2012

Novelist and Short Story writer and teacher

Fiction

I’m a short-fiction writer based in North Somerset

My fiction tends to be character-led, with an interest in friendship, family, ageing and the stories people tell themselves about who they are. Humour often finds its way in, particularly where it sits close to embarrassment, affection or sadness.

I have an MA in Creative Writing from the Open University and run a local creative-writing group. One of the pleasures of that has been watching people move from trying exercises to bringing in stories they genuinely want to tell. I enjoy close reading and discussing craft: how a voice takes shape, what dialogue reveals, where a scene begins to drag, and when an explanation can disappear because the reader already understands.

I’m here to discover writers and journals, exchange reading recommendations, talk about work in progress and find suitable homes for my fiction. Thoughtful, specific feedback is always welcome.

Location:

Bristol

Birthdate:

7 February (64 years old)

Social:

Blog/web