: About Me

Hello, I'm the Channel Manager for the William Shakespeare Channel. Please feel free to ask any questions regarding the channel, and I'll do my best to answer them. My particular interest is film adaptations of Shakespeare, although I enjoy all aspects of his work.

As of October 2011, I am also a Community Editor for Helium. The work is challenging but enjoyable, and it's great to be able to give something back to Helium and to help to make the site the best it can be.

I'm 59, and have been unable to work for some years as I suffer from 3 different kinds of arthritis. I've used the time to achieve 2 degrees in English and History, and I enjoy writing and surfing the Internet. I am passionate about Shakespeare, and enjoy watching the plays in theatre and on film.

I love reading and Sudoku puzzles, and I enjoy watching and taking part in quizzes. We live in a beautiful corner of England, and my husband Tony and I make the most of it by going off in our motorhome whenever we can.

It's the second marriage for both of us, and between us, we have 6 children, 9 grandchildren and 2 great granddaughters. We feel blessed to have such a wonderful extended family and to have each other.

I joined Helium because I saw the site mentioned in 'Writers News.' With so many channels and topics to write to, I find I'm writing more than ever. Obviously my writing is improving, too, as I am enjoying the satisfying experience of seeing my articles climbing the ratings whenever I log on to 'My Helium.' I feel I've come home with Helium!

In March 2008, we bought a garden apartment on the Costa Blanca, and we intend to divide our time between the UK and Spain. These days, we seem to spend more time in Spain. My arthritis loves the hot, dry climate there!

I'm available for freelance work for online or paper publications. Email me at sandra.piddock@360.com in the first instance.

My passion is ...

Quizzes and Shakespeare. If I get a Shakespeare quiz, I'm in Heaven!

I know too much about ...

Coronation Street

My parents always told me ...

Always treat others as you want to be treated yourself

My childhood ambition ...

To be a famous novelist

My favorite memory ...

Listening to my grandmother's stories about her childhood.

Why I write ...

I need to communicate my feelings to myself and to others

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

Any detective novels or murder mysteries on TV.

My first job ...

Working in my parents' fast food shop.

My best moment ...

Marrying my husband, Tony.

My inspiration ...

My father. He died when I was only 16, and I still strive to make him proud of me.

Arts & Humanities > William Shakespeare Shakespeare: Is the Bard's work still relevant

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Shakespeare didn't just write great drama. He was a sound observer of the human condition and a great social commentator. Insight like that is a rare and special gift which transcends cultures and centuries, so his work is every bit as relevant today as when it was first written. The most obvious example of a play for all seasons is Henry V. During World War II, Laurence Olivier's Henry was a rallying call to a world exhausted by years of conflict. The blood and guts was glossed over; what was emphasised was the righteousness of Henry's (and the Allies) cause. The French were shown as cowa...

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Writing:

Rating:

• Creative Writing Bronze
• 6Writing Contest Winner
• Marketplace Premier Writer
• Marketplace Approved Writer
• Channel Manager William Shakespeare
• Helium Charter Member