The String Games, Working In Education and The People’s Book Prize

Ten years ago, I realised I was investing too much time and energy into my career and I was missing a creative outlet. Working in education, I found job satisfaction in watching students progress in their learning but as a teacher I was standing still. So what did I do? I started writing a novel. Four manuscripts later, my short stories were being published but my longer work was floundering. At around the same time, local government funding cuts meant the education service I worked for was under threat. In 2013 I was made redundant but instead of seeing this as an obstacle, I took the opportunity to join a masters programme where I could focus on honing my novel writing skills. 

The String Games my debut novel was the result of an extended period of studying and writing. I went on to complete a PhD in creative writing and enjoyed the opportunity to research how women writers relate to their female protagonists. Judith Kegan Gardner uses the analogy ‘the hero is her author’s daughter’ to reflect this relationship.

Through recognition of this bond between me, as the author-mother and Nim, as my protagonist-daughter, I was able to complete the novel by thinking carefully about the stages of development for my young protagonist. The catalyst for The String Games is the abduction and murder of Nim’s younger brother when she is ten years of age.

Although the event is tragic, the novel is about fresh starts and new beginnings. The three-part structure of the novel allows readers to meet Nim firstly as a child on the cusp of pre-pubescence when she has a burgeoning interest in boys. In the second part of the novel, her perception and language changes to that of a young person and she enters the murky world of teenage manipulation. Finally as a woman now known as Imogen, she is able to address issues of unresolved grief for her brother and move forward with her life. 

Written in close third person, as if the narrator is sitting on the shoulder of the protagonist, I share with readers all the things Nim thinks, sees and experiences. To make the voice appropriate to the age of development for my protagonist, I drew upon my experience of working with primary and secondary aged children and young people. Incidents and anecdotes from my work fed into the novel I was able to develop the voice of a child moving into the teenage years and then into adulthood. 

Two months after publication, Victorina Press submitted my novel into the fiction category of The People’s Book Prize. I was delighted to learn in July that The String Games had been longlisted in this national competition which finds and promotes new and undiscovered literary works. I was thrilled to discover that amongst the aims of The People’s Book Prize is a commitment to the complete eradication of illiteracy.

It seems entirely appropriate that a novel, which draws upon my experience of building the skills and confidence of children to develop their literacy levels, should be included in this competition. The People’s Book Prize is also a uniquely democratic competition because it relies on public votes to decide the nation’s next bestsellers and writers of tomorrow. This is where you can help. You can find out all about The String Games on The People’s Book Prize website:

https://peoplesbookprize.com/summer-2019/the-string-games/

To vote, all you need to do is scroll down to add your details, tick the newsletter box and submit. It will only take a minute or two to complete the process but if you vote for The String Games, I’ll be forever grateful. 

Praise for The String Games

The author writes really well and the attention to detail and the authentic feel to the narrative make this a compelling and thought provoking read. Jo Barton, Jaffa Reads Too

A story with an astute and lucid understanding of what it means to be a female growing up in a world of adversity and loss. Linda Hill, Linda’s Book Bag

Aldwin blends her dark and light with an artistic touch, leaving the reader with just enough detail to ask ‘What would I do?’ J J Marsh, Bookmuse

I fell in love with this tale of grief and loss … a wonderful read and highly recommended. Laura, Jerra’s Jamboree

About Gail Aldwin

Settled in Dorset since 2006, Gail Aldwin has lived in Australia, Papua New Guinea and Spain. Her published work includes a debut novel The String Games which won a finalist badge for its cover design and is longlisted in the fiction category of The People’s Book Prize 2019.  Her collection of short fiction Paisley Shirt, was longlisted in the Saboteur Awards 2018. She also writes poetry and her pamphlet adversaries/comrades was published in 2019. As part of 3-She, Gail co-writes short plays and comedy sketches that have been staged in Bridport, Brighton and Salisbury. Gail appears at literary festivals and fringe festivals in London and the South West.

You can read the opening chapter of the novel and purchase a copy of The String Games for distribution worldwide from Victorina Press:

https://www.victorinapress.com/product/the-string-games/

Category: On Writing