Hi
I’m Ian, a writer, and author based in the mythical Eden Valley, Cumbria.
I’m an English writer and author born in Liverpool, but I’ve lived in the Lake District now for most of my life. The Lakes are an inspiration for me and are often featured in both my academic and non-academic work including my poetry. I’m arguably best known for my 2019 book The Awesome Power of Questions. I have a Ph.D. in Creative Writing and studied the use of creative and self-expressive writing as a therapy in grief counselling.
Grief has dominated my writing life having lost my eldest son, Dom, 22 years of age, to a drunk driver. However, for the time being, through both my academic and personal writing I will try to be a source of comfort for other grievers as I recount the journey of a grieving father through my book Grief and Other Minds. I can be contacted here. https://ianploftus.com/contact/. I am currently working on the follow up to this book with, Why Has The Rule Of Law Become So Fragile?
I’ve also had several poems published in Poems for the Open Mind and Now Poetry a few years ago and was short-listed for a Cinnamon Press short story competition recently.
On the bright side, I also have several ‘Faction’ books in the pipeline where Dom plays the hero and other stories where he has a cameo role.
My Philosophy on Writing.
Research the Research
Don’t believe everything you read. Research both sides of the coin. People have agendas, most don’t even bother to hide them today. Find your own version of the truth.
Write what you DON’T know about.
This will go against everything you’ve been taught about creative writing. But if you write about what makes you curious, it will spark your readers’ curiosity too. Write it with authority.
Make them smile (or cry)
As a scouser, I’m told I have ‘humour noir’, or gallows humour. I’m sure some of my ancestors met their end there. Whatever your style is, you need to engage your readers emotionally.