When did you start writing? 
At various times throughout my life, I aspired to write stories but life got in the way. It was in the early 2000s that my husband encouraged me to give it a go and I found it a wonderful release like I had so many stories inside my head wanting to be out and enjoyed.

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What are you currently reading?  

Nevermore! It’s very good so far.

Have you travelled widely? I have been to New Zealand, Tokyo Japan, Italy, Paris, and a very quick visit to London. I really hope to get back and travel around the United Kingdom one day.

What are your favourite books/genres to read/write in? I love reading anything from children to crime, with a sprinkle of sci-fi in between! My all-time favourite though is Peter Pan!

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Do you write mainly for children, or have you written for adults? 

Both. However, a romance I started many years ago, keeps getting put away. Never to be seen. 

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Do you derive inspiration from your own family/friends? 

Possibly. I have always liked Jackie French’s interpretation of character building as a “composting” of traits from many you know or meet. Her analogy comes from her love of gardening but when I met her at the Somerset Literary Festival years ago and told her I loved her composting idea, she cringed at the thought! Her book ‘How the Aliens from Alpha Centauri Invaded My Maths Class and Turned Me Into a Writer…and How You Can Be One Too’ was written to help children with their writing. I love her humour.

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Have you created characters based on people you know? 

Shhh, hmmm, maybe… Yeah, maybe just a little bit.

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Do you feel writing and being a member of The Ten Penners helps you push your writing to a new level? 

Yes, absolutely! I always strive to do something new, and I love to be able to get together with like-minded friends to bump ideas and have them give me critiques. It keeps one sharp and there is always something to learn. Plus, in creating children’s stories, we always end up having a good laugh!

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Do you think of the setting as a character or just a background to your story?  

Hmm, interesting question. I wouldn’t call it a character and it’s not just a background. It’s like “feeling the force” as Master Obi-Wan would say. A writer needs to tap into the readers’ five senses; touch, smell, hearing, sight, and taste. Creating an original ambience that ties everything together and intrigues the reader.

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What writing groups do you belong to? 

Gold Coast Writers Association and SCWBI, (Society of Children’s Writers and Book Illustrators).

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