Spotlight On Writers
Penny Rogers
- Where do you originate from?
I have lived most of my life in southern England, shuffling around for family reasons and work until 1986 when we bought the house we still live in. It’s in Dorset and I love it. The countryside is varied and invariably beautiful, there’s lots of history and pre-history (including the Jurassic Coast), and perhaps because of the inadequacy of public transport away from larger towns, and the complete absence of motorways, there’s still a sense of community in many places.
- What do you cherish most about the place you call home?
After almost forty years in one house, I cherish the memories of family highs and lows and of friends coming and going that infuse every room. Around me are pictures and objects that are both atavistic and a source of creativity. Outside, there is a lovely garden which we have nurtured over the years. I don’t live in the past, but use experiences to enrich my writing. My answer to Question 4 is an example. We live in the centre of a small town and I appreciate the convenient access to shops and services.
A few years ago, I broke my leg badly; as a result, I walk with difficulty and the design of our home is sympathetic to my limitations. I think I could be happy living elsewhere, but after so long in one place, I wonder if it’s the idea of doing so rather than the reality that appeals to me.
- What ignites your creativity?
I wish I could answer this question! It might be someone walking up the road, a kid on a bike, a line from a song, an argument that went badly wrong, a visit to a Saxon church, a menu…
I have a good imagination, so there’s usually something going on to ignite a spark. Fanning the flames and making the fire burn properly can be difficult; when this happens, I do something else like knitting or cooking. My husband is an artist and sometimes his pictures inspire me, and he has done some paintings in response to my writing, which is very rewarding.
- Do you have a favorite word and could you incorporate it into a poetic phrase?
I can answer this, it’s crepuscule, such a musical word. A year or so ago I had a 100 word piece published:
The scent of jasmine, roses and nicotiana filled the evening garden; pipistrelles darted over the trees catching insects. Mimi walked along the beloved paths, the sound of Hugo’s viola weaving a Mozart concerto through the crepuscule. She joined him in the summerhouse, enchanted by the music. When he’d finished playing, Hugo wrapped the viola in a red velvet cloth before carefully putting it into its custom made case. Together they watched the dark blanket of night settle. ‘Wake up Mimi, time for your medica….’.The nurse saw the contented smile on her patient’s face and realised there was no need.
- What is your pet peeve?
As a retired information professional, my pet peeve is people who uncritically use social media for their information and form their opinions based on the views of influencers, charlatans and pseudo-scientists. This is dangerous for individuals and society as a whole. For example, I meet people who refuse vaccinations because ‘Everyone says they don’t work/ are dangerous/ are a conspiracy’ and when challenged to say who ‘Everyone’ is, either mumble and change the subject or say they’ve heard about it on a podcast or a social media. There is so much of value on these platforms, but a worrying number of people don’t appreciate the prejudices behind, and the polemic within, some of the content and use it without any analysis to reinforce their own confirmation bias.
- How would you describe the essence of Penny Rogers?
I suppose I’m a liberal, a somewhat unfashionable word at the moment. I want to build bridges, not walls, and look for inclusivity in my daily life and in my writing. This can be challenging, as the recent experiences of high-profile authors have proved. I am concerned that the geo-politics of the 21st century are moving relentlessly towards populism and authoritarianism, and I fear this will be to the disadvantage of women, ethnic minorities, disabled people and other groups who are not part of the hegemony.
I hope that I’m kind. I try to be, but every so often even my best intentions backfire. Fortunately, I have a wonderful husband and family who support me but also remind me that life is for living not worrying about.
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