British writer triumphs in French idyll

A London-born writer in rural France has credited a UK literary society with giving her the motivation to keep writing – and she has recently been lauded for her efforts.

Ann Mary Stanton, 74, moved to France in 1999 after falling in love with a former Dutch naval pilot.

Her links with the country, however, can be traced all the way back to childhood.

“As a child I wanted to be a writer, but it seemed a precarious profession to my parents, so I trained as a speech therapist.

“I worked in a hospital in Montreal, Canada, but my sister owned a house in France. Our whole family would gather there each year, so France became more of a home than the UK.”

Creative French community

It was on one of these trips that she met and fell in love with Willem Wijgerse, who had a house nearby and who she eventually married. The couple now live in the village of Villeréal (Lot-et-Garonne).

“The creative buzz here is inspirational,” she said.

“Artists, sculptors, designers work alongside local artisans and shopkeepers. There are festivals and events. It is brilliant.”

However during Covid, when the village locked down, she was compelled to look elsewhere to keep her creative juices flowing. 

Having already produced a play and written some short stories, she decided to join the overseas branch of the British-formed Society of Women Writers and Journalists (SWWJ).

Read more: What is French Prix Goncourt and who is the new winner?

Writing career

“It was a revelation,” she said. “Instead of sitting alone with my ideas and computer, I attended Zoom meetings with writers from all over the world ‘visiting’ my home!

“We pitch ideas, give each other tips, technical help and marketing advice.”

When the SWWJ launched a competition to celebrate its 130th birthday this year, Ann Mary was intrigued: entrants were asked to write a 1,500-word biography of any person born in or after 1894, the year the society was formed. 

“With my level of experience, I didn’t think I could possibly win,” says Ann Mary, “but I trawled the internet and found a marvellous woman; architect Lotte Stam-Beese. She was born in Silesia, Germany (now Poland) in 1903 and had a long affair with Hannes Meyer, a director of Bauhaus, the famous German art school.

“She gave birth to their son, and they split up, but Lotte continued to study even in the midst of war.

“She then married a former teacher, had a daughter, then separated from her husband. After World War Two, single again but fully qualified, she helped rebuild Rotterdam, devastated by bombardment in May 1940.

“She created homes people could live in safely, became the city’s chief architect in 1955 and died in 1988.”

Ann Mary’s entry was singled out by judges for its pace, vivid and well-researched detail and absorbing story. In May, she travelled to the House of Lords, London, to receive her trophy from SWWJ President Baroness Floella Benjamin. 

Read more: Six things that show the French love for books and reading

Inspirational France

The award – and life in France – has only fuelled her desire to keep writing. 

“I am planning a visit to Holland in October, where I will do more research on Lotte. I am writing a novel, too.

“France is a great country to realise your unfulfilled dreams, refresh your brain and absorb new ideas, at any age. It is a good place to fall in love, too!”

Writers in France who wish to join the SWWJ can contact Anne Murray at officerformembers@swwj.co.uk. 

For more information, see the society’s website: swwj.co.uk. Men who are published writers can now join the society as associate members.