Look and Listen

Biography

I was born in Salisbury in the UK but now live in Ceret, a small town nestled in the foothills of the Pyrenees. It's a very arty place and perfect for life as a full-time writer. I decided to move to France after my Mother died quite suddenly and I followed my brother and his partner out there. They are both authors and were constantly writing about the stunning scenery and relaxed lifestyle. So I thought 'why not?' France is beautiful and the language is complex. I'm still struggling to come to terms with conversational french but luckily I now have a french partner so hopefully my language skills will improve. Not many people can say that they love their jobs but for me, writing is a way of life and I feel lost without it.

Inspiration

At the moment my inspiration come from the Pyrenees. Beautiful mountains that change consistently in the evolving light of day. No two days are the same. To wake up and see snow capped mountains or a rainbow over the highest peak after a balmy storm is wonderful. Soon I am moving to a log cabin near the sea so will miss the mountain scenery but I know that I will embrace my new surroundings and am looking forward to tempestuous seas and walking along the golden sands edged with an azure blue sky. I self-motivate. I turn my attention inwards and I try to put myself in the mind of my characters when I write fiction, I feel their every emotion and their pain. I found myself filled with emotion for my novel character Arianne Tawnison in Who Killed September Falls? I cried as I wrote the story from her viewpoint as she investigated the murder of her best friend. That's when I knew that the story had become real to me and that I was caught up in the plot.