A computer-shy ex-teacher has ditched the desktop to write a 50,000-word novel - by hand!

Peter Quince, of Lower Road, Faversham, spent two years penning the 340-page book - entitled The Flesh and the Cross - before a typist reproduced his work in digital form.

It is the third novel he has had published, and Mr Quince - who taught English at St Edmund’s School in Canterbury until his retirement - says he will continue to write his work in notebooks, having never used a computer.

“I am very happy doing it this way,” said the 72-year-old.

“I am adverse to sitting in front of any kind of screen. I have been writing fiction and poems for more than 40 years and enjoy doing it in long-hand in notebooks.

“I have a bit of an obsession with notebooks.”

The Flesh and the Cross is a world away from Mr Quince’s first published works - children’s books Archie Comes Home and Grace Under Pressure.

It tells the story of Brother Caleb, a Cistercian monk who has lived in the monastery of holy trinity for many years.

When a young girl called Rosa comes to stay at the retreat he becomes obsessed with her - leading to a struggle that can only end in tragedy.

But Mr Quince’s interests go beyond writing. He is also a keen artist

Mr Quince says he would be delighted to go into book clubs and creative writing groups to talk about the novel after its release.

He can be contacted on 01795 536744.

The book will be available to buy from mid-November on Amazon or from thegreatbritishbookshop.co.uk.

Signed copies can be sought from the author by calling the number above.

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