5 minutes with ... Amelia Starling
What are you up to these days?
Currently I live in Scotland, where I am studying part-time for a masters degree. I started out doing Ethnology & Folklore, which was incredible and I still have a love for the subject and have kept in touch with all the wonderful people I met through the course, but now I've switched back over to Creative Writing. Just couldn't keep away!
Alongside studying, I work freelance as an ESL teacher and a Japanese translator. I also write and edit articles about folklore (sometimes paid, sometimes not, always a labour of love!) I'm Senior Editor for the online journal #FolkloreThursday, too. Through that I have also participated in folklore events at the University of Essex's Centre for Myth Studies and the Scottish National Storytelling Centre, both of which were amazing experiences. I'm so grateful for all of these opportunities, and can't wait to see where my work takes me next. Studying in Winchester gave me a great foundation for everything I do right now, from knowledge of English for teaching and editing, to encouraging me to pursue my folkloric interests for assignments.
Also sneaky plug - I have a blog! http://thewillowweb.com/ At the moment I'm in the process of updating my old posts, and organising and uploading material from my notebooks. Recently I've enjoyed writing just for myself, and experimenting with different styles and voices. But now I have all these words sitting around, and new things to get involved with in my postgrad city, so I feel that it's the right time to start sharing my work.
When I'm not studying, teaching, or writing, I'm usually ice skating. Need something to get me out of the house, and remind me that I have legs and can actually use them!
Favourite uni memory
There were so many amazing moments, it's hard to choose! But two things in particular spring to mind.
Firstly, the wolf sanctuary visit. To this day, I tell people that I have stood in a field, in the dark and the rain, howling at a wolf pack and listening to them howl back. Then I say it was part of my degree, and they wonder what on earth I studied to have that experience! It was a truly magical night, and it's unique moments like this which enrich your life and inspire your work. The Creativity II exhibition was also a lovely day. I remember seeing all my classmates' work and feeling so happy and proud to be there.
Secondly, going for a walk through the graveyard as part of Textual Intervention I and watching Andy Melrose creep around ivy-clad headstones. Not a mental image I think I'll ever forget!
Advice for new students
This is your time. Maybe that sounds cliche, but it's true. High school and college can be petty, stressful places, especially if you're trying to be creative, or you don't fit in. University is the time to shed those old insecurities, and do what you've always wanted to. Stop being afraid. Say yes to new things. Be yourself, and don't apologise for it, because you are more than good enough. You'll soon figure out who understands that, and gravitate towards them. Heads up. Big smiles. Be brave. Make those beautiful words happen.
Also, if your interests are very niche, don't abandon them! You can make them work for you - take it from a folklorist! Always write about what's important to you. Your love and passion for the topic will shine through, and then other people will love it, too.
Best thing about UoW
Oh my goodness, where to start! Everything?! Okay for one thing, there's SHEEP ON THE ROOF. How many other universities have that?!
Also, getting to graduate in the cathedral. It's such a beautiful, special place. Some universities hold their ceremonies in classrooms or ugly, corporate-looking buildings. Not us. We get a gorgeous, historic cathedral.
On a more serious note, one thing which stands out to me now is the size of the university, and the city. Where I'm doing my postgrad is much bigger, which is great in one way because there's more to explore, but it's taking me a long time to get to grips with the place. With Winchester, it was instant. Campus is small, so it's easy to navigate and meet people, and it has such a strong community atmosphere. You know your tutors, classmates, and admin staff personally, and its easy to figure out where you need to go for help. Also, it's reassuring to go to events or walk into town and see familiar faces. I felt extremely supported and cared for during my time at Winchester, and that my tutors and the university as a whole knew me and would look out for me. That is definitely not the same at every university, and not something to be taken for granted.
Guilty pleasure
Eating breakfast food as a late-night snack. Can't beat 1am toast/cereal/pancakes after a night out, or to curl up & eat whilst reading a book when insomnia strikes. Don't judge me!
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