Joseph Sparke (English 2020) talks about how his passion for creative writing complemented his academic pursuits during his degree.

By Famke Veenstra-Ashmore

“I decided at the age of seven that I wanted to be an author,” says third-year undergraduate Joseph Sparke (English 2020).

“I used to come to school an hour early every day to write. Looking back, those old things that I wrote were absolutely terrible. But I've been writing for years now, and I’m getting better over time.”

Joseph, pictured, went to a comprehensive school in Kent before coming to Gonville & Caius College in 2020. He read English and wrote two dissertations in his final year: one on fairies in Susanna Clark and one on epic poetry.

“I would say I have two primary specialities though those being classical literature and mediaeval literature, so basically all the old stuff that everyone else thinks is weird!”

Joseph has extended his interest in supernatural and fantasy writing to his own writing. Whilst at Caius, he has begun work on a novel which reimagines Comus, a masque (entertainment with music, dancing, singing and acting) written by John Milton in 1634.

“A lot of my writing is informed by the things that I'm reading,” Joseph adds. “So I read something I like, and I go and write about it academically, and then I go and write about it creatively. It’s all part of the same process. They reinforce each other.”

There are no formal elements of creative writing within the English Tripos, but there is a thriving extra-curricular scene at Caius and beyond. Joseph has published his stories in student publications such as The Cambridge Student and Varsity, for example.

He is an also an active member of Caius’ own creative writing group, co-founded by the Tutor for Admissions and Outreach, Dr Chris Scott, in Michaelmas 2022. “It’s a very relaxed environment provided to discuss work and get feedback” Joseph says.

“I also really enjoy helping other people write and providing my own criticism. I think it's important that everyone is challenged to grow in their writing.”

Reflecting on his time in general at Caius, Joseph says: “It’s the people that make Caius. I’ve been incredibly lucky to meet a group of excellent friends and supervisors.”

Joseph recently completed his final set of exams. What is next? “My plan hopefully is to do an MA Creative Writing at Bath Spa, and keep writing, eventually sending it off to publishers,” he adds.

“A couple of years ago I did actually send a couple of chapters of a novel that I had written to some agents and did get one response. It ultimately didn't go any further, but it did inspire me to keep on working at it!”