Radio broadcaster, writer, and maker of comics Tom Cleary is a veteran CArtsCon Presenter. Here’s more about Tom, in his own words:
“It may sound like a cliché, but I have been making comics and radio shows since I was a tot. As a child, I would make up my own comic characters and often staple together short comic books drawn in biro. If I wasn’t creating comics, I’d be recording radio shows onto a cassette tape. One might think that 20 years later I would have grown out of these pastimes. But…I’ve actually taken them more and more seriously and have carried on.
I studied Radio at Canterbury Christ Church University—and created more comics in my spare time, eventually having them published. Radio Broadcasting combined my love of writing and performing short stories, so I considered making a radio version of the comic books. CSR FM welcomed this idea and the show has been running since December 2014–winning a ‘best speech show’ award.
I’m proud of being able to create, in my own style, and develop work I would like to see myself. When my efforts on a particular project turn out well (from my perspective) when it’s finished, that’s always a massive bonus.”
Tom will talk about:
A Bridge to Another Bridge
Everything I’ve done creatively has been with the ambition to impress certain people in my life, although I only recently realised this. It was only from writing a book about the person in question when it accidentally became clear to me.
This was somebody i haven’t seen since childhood. We only knew each other for a month, yet she left a huge mark on me. If it weren’t for her, I doubt I would have sought public presence doing radio, comics, or writing. I had to leave my stamp on the world and show I was succeeding in something.
So, when all else fails, what can you do but get straight to the point and create something for them, all about them? Will it work? Possibly not. But working on the said book was extremely therapeutic and, magically, has cleared my mind dramatcially. It took a long time for me to get there, but it taught me it is never too late to try.