|
About Me
People like to know about what makes a writer tick. Sometimes just out of interest, sometimes to understand how they write and sometimes to see if it's what they would like to do...I've got three brothers - one older, two younger. We grew up mainly in Fareham, Hampshire, but also spent some years in Singapore.
I've always been bonkers about animals - particularly dogs and horses.
Once upon a time I used to rescue 'stray' dogs from the park and bring them home, telling my Mum they needed a home. I would've rescued horses like that too, if I'd thought I could get away with it.
I was always having jumble sales and pet shows in the garden, raising money for animal charities. When I was older and between jobs, I did voluntary work for the RSPCA for a while.
Other loves included reading and writing. I was always happy doing either. A Saturday morning treat was to go into town, spend my pocket money on a book and stashes of chocolate, then hide away in my room - reading and eating and eating and reading until everything was finished.
I wrote my own books back then too. And comics and magazines. Mum kept them and when I do author visits to schools I sometimes take them with me, although the pages are very thin and fragile now.
I went to Art College - I loved art, but I also knew I would be rubbish at keeping a normal working routine. I'm a bit of a 'night owl' - I can stay up working or just chatting really late, but the mornings are deadly places for me. I can't speak to anyone for at least 2 hours and I need endless cups of tea before I can start grunting 'good morning ' to people. My family all know and understand these things and very wisely leave me alone!!
But generally I thought doing 'arty' things would save me from having to conform too much. But after working in Graphics for a few years, I went to America to teach art to children - and discovered I liked children even better than art, so I switched.
I still work with children now - I run writing workshops in schools, helping children of all ages to develop their writing ideas.
I also teach creative writing to students at University. I teach degree and MA level students, and it's brilliant to be able to teach a subject I love and enjoy so much, and to be amongst a new generation of young people who love and enjoy it too.
I still draw - mainly sketches - and I still read a lot. And I'm still a stumbling nightmare first thing in the morning!!!
|
 |
| The Next Big Thing: |
|
TEEN FICTION (11+)
Discovered singing in a car park, Elliot is scooped up,
signed up and tied up by a major record company....
|
| Forbidden: |
|---|
|
'Voted one of the top teen reads 2007 by New York Public Library'
TEEN FICTION (11+)
Elinor has always been one of the Chosen
Will she ever be able to break free of the bonds that tie her to True Cause...
|
| Shopaholic: |
|---|
|
TEEN FICTION (11+)
How far would you go to keep a best friend?
Especially one who is more sparkly and wilder, and
who wants to pull you into a world you’re not comfortable with... |
|
