Look and Listen

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Biography

One of the earliest memories I have is of being in tears because I wanted to learn how to read but my first year teacher thought I 'wasn't ready'. Eventually, after my Grandma had a word, I was taught. This is going back a few years and thankfully things have changed. All kids are now encouraged to learn words, rather than set back. From the moment I started reading I couldn't stop. The images books gave me in my head were much more exciting and realistic than any thing I watched on TV. I loved the magical places they would take me, the wonderful characters I would meet. My Grandma told me that I sat just like my Great Gran when I read: leaning forward with the book perched on the end of my knee and my toes pointing in the opposite directions. Writing followed shortly after the reading; I wanted to make up my own places and characters. I wanted people to come on my magical journeys, become lost in my imagination. My favorite thing as a kid was a new jotter and pen. On a Friday night my mum would be sitting at the kitchen table in my grandmother's house with her glass of wine, and I would be sitting there beside her with my pen, writing about make believe people. Of course the people were very real to me. I have tried different genres but I find that writing for children suits me most. Having three children of my own as well as being a respite carer means I'm always hearing what they like, what they want to read, what excites them and what they find 'boring'. With my stories I hope to make them laugh, cry, and love make believe, but most of all, to encourage them to read more. I now live in a small village in Scotland with my partner, my three children and my two dogs.

Inspiration

Children inspire me. Their imagination and ability to make believe never stops surprising me. Authors such as Roald Dahl and Stephen Kind, who create wonderful, believable characters inspire me. And life itself inspires me.