Terry Martin, from Droylsden who discovered his talent for writing while recovering from major brain surgery has landed a publishing deal for his debut novel after four years in the making.
Terry a former computer programmer, said he was left ‘feeling differently' after the operation to help manage his epilepsy and decided to return to the hobby he enjoyed as a child.
41-year-old Terry said “People try for years to get their work published but I sent it to three and they were all interested. “It’s still sinking in. My tutors are really excited and proud.”
Terry, who is in the final year of a creative writing course at the University of Derby, said he was inspired by his favourite books and films including Sebastian Faulks’ Birdsong and Forrest Gump and drew on his knowledge of contemporary history to write the book, a love story set in the 1980s between a Soviet athlete and an English journalist. It covers the politics of the decade as well as key events such as the release of Band Aid in 1984 and the Live Aid concert the following year.
Terry was diagnosed with epilepsy at the age of seven and suffered fits regularly before his operation, added: “For some reason it altered my brain, it made me more creative and I began to feel things more deeply.
"Turtles on the Beach" is published by Arena Books and has just been released this month.
