Interview with a non-fiction writer - Paddy Rowe
Paddy wrote her first story at retirement age
Battersea Anthology aims to raise profiles of writers associated with the Battersea and Nine Elms area, and foster a strong artistic spirit and community. Learn more about Paddy’s work and her literary pursuit in this interview.
About Paddy Rowe
Paddy Rowe was born and raised in Belfast, and she has been teaching English as a Foreign Language to corporate clients across the globe for 39 years. Paddy is one of the earliest residents moving into the Battersea Power Station development, and the founder of the Battersea Power Station book club. One day, Paddy would really love to do a creative writing course.
Your life story ties closely to your non-fiction work, please can you share more?
Hello, my name is Paddy Rowe. I come from Belfast, my family are all still there. I left Belfast in 1976 to embark on a BA in Hospitality at Oxford Brookes University. I married Barry, an Army Officer and we have two sons and three grandchildren. I was a late starter in my career and started teaching in Further Education at the age of 34. I taught Business Studies and Information Technology in a large London FE College and loved it. Since retirement, I switched to teaching English as a Second Language to corporate clients based all over the world.
I moved to the Battersea Power Station development in July 2017. There weren’t many residents at that time. The developers provided an app for neighbours to get to know each other. I decided to start a book club on the app. Our first meeting was reading a book about the history of the Power Station called ‘Up in Smoke’ by a London-based journalist called Peter Watts. I managed to track Peter down and he came to our first-ever Book Club which was a great start. We are still going strong in 2023 and have had a few authors join our sessions which is always a real treat.
Wow, I can see you’re a person with great initiative. Applying that attitude to writing, do you always have story ideas in your head?
I have had many experiences in my life which I enjoy relating to friends. Being Irish,I tend to embellish each time I tell these real-life stories. So experiences have a tendency to morph into creative re-telling.
How did you decide to start writing this time around for Battersea Anthology?
Following on from question 2, I decided to re-tell the story of how my husband and myself ended up living in Battersea Power Station full-time. When I learnt about the Battersea Anthology project I was galvanised into submitting a piece. Priscilla, the Editor-in-Chief of The Battersea Anthology is a member of our Book Club and she announced that she had won the bid from Wandsworth Council.
That’s indeed how people are connected so well in the Battersea and Nine Elms neighbourhood. I am so glad you took up the challenge. What was the experience of coming up with the idea and putting it down to paper like?
The idea was already there. The anthology’s theme of Grow and Flourish encapsulated perfectly our experience of moving here. I had no problem writing this down and it was cathartic in so many ways.
How do you feel when the final word is completed?
Extreme satisfaction. I was so glad I ‘had a go’ as I’ve never submitted my own prose before.
Honestly, I was a privilege for me to get to know you through your unique voice on paper. How did you find the editing process - both self-edit and working with an editor?
I really enjoyed having my work overseen by Priscilla. My first draft was rough as I wanted to get the overall story down and not get too bogged down in the minutiae of editing. I teach Business Communication and have a habit of self-proofing all the time. Priscilla then advised on areas of foci which would draw in the reader.
How do your friends and family feel about you taking on this challenge at your age and your stage of life?
I think they are quite impressed. They know me well and don’t seem to be surprised that I’ll take on a challenge. I don’t ever see myself as age-defined or constrained.
You are sure to inspire more people who didn't think they could pick up a pen at this lifestage to ‘have a go’! Would you do it again? Has writing this piece activated your desire to write more?
Definitely. There are many other stories from my life experiences I would like to share if the reader can be tolerant and humour me.
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