The Writers of Wales Database

WILTSHIRE, TERRI

Born in Alabama in 1957, Terri travelled extensively as the oldest child of a military family. After university, and a degree in Communication, she worked for NBC News in a regional U.S. television station as a field journalist. Terri later became a sports presenter, graduating to presenting the news every night at 6 & 10. 

She left broadcasting and worked in jobs as diverse as: waiting tables, singing back up vocals and commercial jingles, managing bookstores, running a retail design company, public speaking, and working as an extra in the TV series “Dallas”. In 1988, Terri moved to South Wales, where she’d lived as a young girl. She lectured for eight years in Business Studies, Media, and Performing Arts, published six children’s books (Kingfisher & Heinemann), and started her own Corporate role play company, Terri Wiltshire & Associates.

Throughout her career, she has continued to write, direct and act in over 65 theatre productions, both professionally (with touring companies) and as guest director in community and educational theatre.  She has also persevered with her writing, practising her skills in feature writing, children’s books, television and film scripts, and journalism. Her first adult title, Carry Me Home (Macmillan New Writing, 2009), was on the 2010 Wales Book of the Year Short List. Terri now lives in Newport and is a Member of Academi.

Reviews:
With respect to Carry Me Home (Macmillan, 2009)

”…Good novels lead you by the nose into involvement with the characters and resonate after you put the book down. This is a powerful debut novel…”
Steve Dube, Western Mail


Selected Publications:
Children’s titles
The Tale of Pepper the Pony (Kingfisher, 1993)
The Tale of Gus the Grumbly Grizzly (Kingfisher, 1993)
The Tale of Bronty Brontosaurus (Kingfisher, 1993)
The Tale of Bella Brontosaurus (Kingfisher, 1993)
The Tale of Tiki Tiger (Kingfisher, 1993)
Children’s Fairytale Theatre: Three Plays to Stage and Perform (Heinemann, 1996)
Children’s Adventure Theatre: Three Plays to Stage and Perform (Heinemann, 1996)

Adult titles
Carry Me Home (Macmillan, 2009)




Carry Me Home (Macmillan, 2009)

Carry Me Home is a deeply moving story about two generations of a family, told in two strands - 1904 and contemporary America.

In Lander, Alabama 1904, teenager Emma Scott claims she is raped and made pregnant by a ‘black hobo’ triggering a chain of events that will affect generations to come. When Emma gives birth to a white-skinned boy named Luke she feels no love towards him.

In modern day Lander, Canaan Phillips has fled her abusive husband to stay with her formidable Southern Baptist grandmother, who brought her up after her mother’s suicide. In a small town, where everyone knows everything, Canaan’s only friend growing up was her Grandmother’s simple brother Luke who she is now reunited with. Together, they try to come to terms with their difficult pasts, and with the help of her Uncle, Canaan learns how to love again.

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