The Perse School
  • Parent Login
  • Pupil and Staff Login
  • Calendar
  • Sports Fixtures
  • Term dates
  • Search
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Explore
    • Admissions
    • Academic
    • Beyond Classroom
    • School Life
    • People
    • Admissions
    • Academic
    • Beyond Classroom
    • School Life
    • People
    • Admissions
    • Academic
    • Beyond Classroom
    • School Life
    • People
    • Admissions
    • Academic
    • Beyond Classroom
    • Sixth Form Life
    • People
    • The Perse Today
    • Summer School
    • Contact
    • Job Vacancies
    • Policies and Inspection
    • Events
    • Keep in Touch
    • Support Us
    • Get Involved
    • Notable Alumni
    • Head's Blog
    • News Stories
    • Parent Login
    • Pupil and Staff Login
    • Calendar
    • Sports Fixtures
    • Term dates

Renowned writer offers expertise to Perse creative arts students

28 Nov 2018

Leading novelist and screenwriter Patrick Gale provided expert tips and advice to The Perse’s aspiring writers as part of the school’s Creative Mentors scheme.

Mr Gale, who wrote the screenplay for 2018 International Emmy Award-winning mini-series Man in an Orange Shirt, visited The Perse fresh from an appearance at the Cambridge Literary Festival. On playing his part in the BBC 1 drama’s success, he told students: “It was very exciting. My feet haven’t touched the ground!”

An author of 16 novels, he explained how he had loved writing since he was a child, inspired by a voracious appetite for reading books. However, as a teenager he had aspired to become a musician, having played cello to a high standard, and later an actor, while still writing his own plays which he shared with a small group of like-minded peers at school. Instead, Mr Gale studied English literature at Oxford University while still regularly taking to the stage to perform in plays.

His route into writing professionally came while he worked as a pianist/singer and waiter in a London cabaret restaurant after completing his degree. He recounted how he wrote what became his first novel, The Aerodynamics of Pork, during quiet periods on shifts and piqued the interest of an agent thanks to the manuscript’s unusual title.

Mr Gale explained how after the book was released in 1985, he was able to “serve an apprenticeship” with his publisher by penning further novels and growing a cult following of readers before his 2000 work Rough Music became a bestseller. During that period, he told the audience that he also made a living from writing articles for glossy magazines and screen adaptations of other authors’ works for film production companies.

He also outlined his process for creating a novel, from the time of his first idea for a book to literally putting pen to paper – Mr Gale writes two drafts of each novel longhand before committing to an electronic version for his editor to look over – before reading an extract from his latest book Take Nothing with You.

Following the session, Mr Gale said: “It’s been great to visit The Perse. I’ve met some really bright students who asked some very challenging questions and it’s been enormous fun.”

Listen to Mr Gale talk about the influences on his work and his advice for budding professional creative writers below.

http://www.perse.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Patrick-Gale-01.mp3

Categories

Drama, English
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Google+
  • Email
 
 

Latest News

14 Jan 2021

Cambridge Union debating finals beckon for Perse students

9 Dec 2020

Christmas creativity showcased in Perse Year 7 Arts Festival

16 Nov 2020

Rouse Awards – Florie Harmer’s exploration of mental health in American literature

Read moreView all

News Archive

2021

March
February
January

2020

December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2019

December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2018

December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2017

December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2016

December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2015

December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2014

December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2013

December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2012

December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January

2011

December
November
October
September
August
Return to startUp periscope

The Perse Pelican
Head: Francesca Heftman
92 Glebe Road
Cambridge
CB1 7TD

T +44 (0) 1223 403940

The Perse Prep
Head: James Piper
Trumpington Road
Cambridge
CB2 8EX

T +44 (0) 1223 403920

The Perse Upper
Head: Ed Elliott
Hills Road
Cambridge
CB2 8QF

T +44 (0) 1223 403800

  • Contact
  • Job Vacancies
  • Our Vision, Values and Aims
  • Term Dates
  • Inspection Report
  • Governors
  • Perse Studio
  • Policies
  • Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
  • Privacy Notices
  • Disclaimer
  • Website Terms of Use
pelican@perse.co.uk
prep@perse.co.uk
schooloffice@perse.co.uk
Twitter Facebook YouTube Instagram

© The Perse School 2021. All Rights reserved.
Crafted by The District and Chameleon Studios

 
Toggle the navigation
 
The Perse School
Parent Login Calendar Site Search
  • Homepage
  • Upcoming Lecture: Mobile Apps become Medical Devices 
  • About us 
    • The Perse Today 
      • Our vision, values and aims 
        • Sustainability 
      • Philosophy 
      • Outreach and Community Partnerships 
      • Governors 
      • Perse in Cambridge 
      • Rooted in History 
        • Timeline 
      • Expanding our Facilities 
    • Summer School 
    • Contact 
      • Open Events 
      • Request Prospectus 
      • Book a Tour 
    • Job Vacancies 
  • Pelican 
    • Admissions 
      • Request Prospectus 
      • Open Morning 
      • Book a Tour 
      • 360 Tour 
      • How to Register 
      • Fees 
    • Academic 
      • Curriculum 
        • Nursery and Reception 
        • Years 1 and 2 
    • Beyond Classroom 
      • Club Pelican 
    • School Life 
      • Home from Home 
      • The School Day 
      • Pelican Behaviour 
    • People 
      • Staff List 
      • Meet a few of our Pelican staff 
      • Parents’ Association 
  • Prep 
    • Admissions 
      • View Prospectus 
      • Visiting the Prep 
        • Open Morning 
        • Book a Tour 
        • Taster Morning 
        • Activity Morning 
        • Pre-Test Service 
      • Prep 360 Virtual Tour 
      • How to Register 
      • Fees 
      • Bus Services 
    • Academic 
      • Curriculum 
      • Subjects 
      • Assessment 
      • Learning Support 
    • Beyond Classroom 
      • Clubs 
      • Drama + Music 
      • Sport 
    • School Life 
      • Well-being 
      • The School Day 
        • Timetable 
        • Bus Services 
      • The House System 
      • School Council 
      • Newsletter 
    • People 
      • Staff List 
      • Meet a few of our Prep Staff 
      • Parents’ Association 
  • Upper 
    • Admissions 
      • View Prospectus 
      • Open Days 
      • Visiting the Upper 
        • Book a Tour 
        • Taster Morning 
      • 360 Tour 
      • How to Register 
      • Fees 
        • Help with Fees 
      • Scholarships 
      • Joining Us 
        • Linking Project 
        • Bus Services 
    • Academic 
      • Curriculum 
      • Subjects 
      • Independent Research 
      • Enrichment 
      • Exam Results 
      • Learning Support 
    • Beyond Classroom 
      • Clubs + Societies 
        • The 42 Society 
      • Drama + Dance 
      • Music 
      • Outdoor Pursuits 
      • Sport 
      • Peter Hall Performing Arts Centre 
    • School Life 
      • Well-being 
      • The School Day 
        • Timetable 
        • Bus Services 
      • The House System 
      • Student Council 
    • People 
      • Staff List 
      • Meet the Staff 
  • 6th Form 
    • Admissions 
      • View Prospectus 
      • Visiting the Sixth Form 
        • Book a Tour 
        • Open Evening 
      • 360 Tour 
      • How to Register 
        • International Students 
      • Fees 
        • Help with Fees 
      • Scholarships 
      • Joining Us 
        • Bus Services 
    • Academic 
      • Curriculum 
      • Subjects 
      • Independent Research 
      • Enrichment 
      • Learning Support 
      • Exam Results 
      • University 
        • University destinations 
    • Beyond Classroom 
      • Clubs + Societies 
        • The 42 
      • Drama + dance 
      • Music 
      • Outdoor Pursuits 
      • Sport 
    • Sixth Form Life 
      • Well-being 
      • The Sixth Form Day 
        • Timetable 
        • Bus Services 
      • Student Council 
    • People 
      • Staff list 
      • Meet the Staff 
  • Alumni 
    • Events 
    • Keep in Touch 
      • OP News 
      • E-Newsletter 
        • Perse Profiles 
        • Into The Archive 
        • Recent Events 
      • Find a Friend 
      • Update Form 
      • Contact Us 
      • E-Communications 
    • Support Us 
      • Make a Gift 
      • Bursaries 
      • 2021 Leavers’ Gift 
      • Outreach 
      • Legacies 
      • Donor Recognition 
    • Get Involved 
      • Year Group Reps 
      • Networking & Careers 
      • 42 Society Lectures 
    • Notable Alumni 
  • News 
  • Head's Blog
  • Contact
  • Calendar
  • Sport Fixtures
  • Term Dates
  • Close Menu  Close Menu
  • Parent Login
  • Pupil + Staff Login
  • Close Menu  Close Menu
  • Twitter
  • Facebook