When and why did you start writing?
I started writing when I was in school but did not take it very far. I wrote mostly funny rhymes, I did not start
serious writing until about five years ago.
Who are your influences as a writer?
I don't think I had any influences, although after reading so many biographies and autobiographies about various people, I felt I needed to let my son Kirk know how I came to this point in my life.
What is No Stamps on My Passport about?
No stamps is about my life and my feeling about life, it contains stories poems and opinions on life in general.
Why did you decide to write this book?
It seemed the right time in my life to try and get my thoughts down on paper.
What do you think of Llandrindod Wells today? What has changed about the town?
I try not to think of Llandrindod too much these days, my family still live there but I visit less and less as I find it a very depressing town. I think the town could benefit from a drastic change in its choice of people in the local council, there seem to be more and more none locals trying to run the town, nobody asks the youngsters what they want, the town needs a kick up the backside and pulling and screaming, if that what it takes, into the 21st century. Leave the Victorians behind.
What are your plans for the future?
I would like to write more. I have two stories I am working on, the first is about the first world war, I have tried to put myself in the trenches, I must admit it is hard going. The second is an attempt at a thriller, I hope to give this to a script writer to see if it is worth submitting for television.
Q&A with Ken Roberts
Find out about a writing course in Mid Wales...
your comments
Dianne Reynolds, Brecon (ex Llandrindod)
Ken Roberts says on the first page of his book that he has moved on unlike the town he grew up in. Having struggled to read the awful prose and finally given up half way through, I think it is Mr Roberts who has not been able to move on... Llandrindod is a lovely town, always was and still is and surrounded by really beautiful countryside. I was shocked to read his heartless comments about Miss George, the domestic science teacher, saying 'God, was she ugly'...My memories of Miss George are of a very smart, well dressed and kind lady; last time I saw her a couple of years ago, she still looked amazingly elegant. Many of the people he writes about with such disregard for their feelings and their families, are still alive. Time to put your unhappy childhood behind you Mr Roberts and get on with life without hurting others. Why not pay a visit to Llandrindod, take a walk over the golflinks and take a good look around you; then think, like I do, how fortunate I was to have spent my chidhood growing up in such a beautiful part of the world.
Fri Jul 4 09:38:50 2008
Sandra Attree
I used to know Ken, we went to same schools.... he's a year older than me, so always one form ahead. I always thought he was a great guy....kind, & friendly. I loved his biography....including the poetry. I thought it was well written......& of course, I know.....or knew pretty well all the people mentioned. I was Llandod born & bred....& also had my own business there since the age of 19. In fact, I opened the boutiqe he mentions......it was Apollo Boutique in Middleton Street opposite Bob Knills. Before Ken left Llandod, My flower shop was a couple of doors away from his shop on the same side of th! e street. I remember we had discussions regarding the opening of Gateway (as it was then) Supermarket........& the devastation it caused to local businesses.....including ours! I'd love to get in touch with Ken....if he'd like to hear from me. Ken would probably remember me as Sandra Reynolds.
Mon Dec 31 10:09:33 2007
Have you read any of Ken's poetry? Will you be writing your autobiography? Send us your comments
