|
|
Stories have always been an important part of my life. I couldn't imagine a childhood without bedtime stories from books and 'Naughty Shoe Stories' from my Dad's head. My younger sister and I spent hours living as various characters, with exciting lives, despite her constant refrain of 'Oh Jo, grow up'. Now age 35 and finally 'grown up' I can dream up characters to bring to life in my novels and short stories.
At eighteen I'd discovered A levels were more fun than a brief, but nasty taste of the world of work in a greenhouse. I moved to the land of concrete and traffic fumes and the University of East London to pursue my favourite A levels: Sociology and Art History.
Four years and a baby later, I started to write seriously and began my first novel. I also helped set up a community newspaper and volunteered on the editorial board. This and more volunteer work for Citizen's Advice, kept me busy alongside writing and bringing up my family.
Now I have moved to Reading. The real world of work only encroaches for fifteen hours a week, giving me time to spend getting my characters to do what I want. The same doesn't necessarily work for my children!