About me
The short version: I’m an Author/single mum/Clinical psychologist/Geordie/ lover of stories, music and floaty things.
The long version: Stories have always been a huge part of my life. Like most kids, I loved fairy tales and myths and nursery rhymes. Bedtime was super special in our house cos mum would either read something lovely, or dad would make up some bizarre yarn – Big hole, little hole sticks in my mind, about two competitive gnomes who liked to dig… anyway, I digress. I remember my Dad had loads of old sci-fi and fantasy books he’d collected over the years. I used to look at them and feel like Belle when the Beast gave her that fancy library. Ok, so it was just a bookcase in a study, but that sense of wonder and of wanting to read every single one was the same I like to think. I still love fantasy and sci-fi. My favourite book EVER is The Hunger Games, and some of my favourite authors are Stephen King, JK Rowling, Asimov, Orwell and Burgess.
I’ve always enjoyed creative writing. I wrote a lot as a child and teenager because it helped me process and make sense of my experiences and feelings. But I only started writing seriously as an adult about five years ago, and I quickly realized just how much I missed it! I was shortlisted for the Times/Chicken House Children’s fiction Competition in 2015 for my dystopian YA novel The Gallows Dance, and this led to my first contract with The Chicken House for THE FANDOM. I like writing YA fiction because it feels right. It’s the time in my life my emotions were at their most powerful, and the time I was most excited by all things imagination and ‘what if’ related. And that’s what writing is about for me... emotions, imagination and ‘what ifs’.
Music has always been very important to me, both in terms of listening and making. It was a huge part of my childhood, and I’ve always been in various choirs, singing quartets, bands, and orchestras. As you can imagine, I love musical theatre. Stories and music and jazz-hands combined into several hours of joy! What’s not to love? I've always loved Am Dram, and this has resulted in some rather embarrassing costume moments! Writing this, I’m realising just what a geek I am!
I’m extremely lucky in that I had, and still have, lovely parents. We were hardly the Brady bunch, but there was always music and stories and jokes and love. I’m still very close to my parents. They’re always the first people I ring in a crisis or to share good news with, and I love them to bits! I also had, and still have, an awesome big sister. She’s beautiful and clever and the queen of sarcasm. And unlike me, she’s TALL. When I was younger, I had a bit of an awesome-older-sibling-complex. I sometimes didn’t try academically cos I knew I could never do as well as her. But now, I’m just stupidly proud of her. And very grateful she’s given me four wonderful nieces and nephews.
My friends are very important to me. They always have been, but as a single Mum, I think I lean on them more than maybe I did in the past. I have some amazing friends, some of whom I went to school with so I’ve known for over twenty, thirty years (and now I feel old!) I’ve also met some gorgeous, caring, hilarious people through work, training and the National Childbirth Trust. And I’m so lucky that one of my lovely cousins lives nearby with her family. I think the importance of friendship comes across quite strongly in my writing, and I hope it’s something my readers can relate to, because everyone needs a lovely group of mates!
As a grown up (can I say that when I don’t feel grown up at all?) I’ve worked mainly in the field of Psychology. I studied Psychology at undergrad, then worked as an Assistant Psychologist for several years. I completed my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2009 (with distinction – this still makes me smile), and I’ve worked as a Clinical Psychologist ever since. There’s not much to say about this other than, I love my job!
I feel the need to mention how much I love floaty things. Anyone familiar with my writing will already know this. Thistledown, dandelion seeds, autumn leaves, blossom petals, whirly birds, bubbles, feathers, snowflakes, butterflies. I think it partly comes from growing up in the countryside surrounded by nature, and partly from watching too many Tim Burton films as a teenager (if you haven’t watched Edward Scissorhands yet, you really should!)
I grew up in a small village in rural Northumberland and I’ve lived in the North East of England most of my life. As such, I’m a typical Geordie, and I always feel sad for anyone who doesn’t live in the North East. I think I’m probably a bit annoying in that sense. Sorry!
And finally, I can’t tell you about myself without telling you about my children, because they are the most important and precious things in my life. I have a little girl and a little boy. They are funny and clever and beautiful and kind and stubborn and crazy. And they love stories, music, and floaty things as much as I do, so we’re a fab little team.
Other things worth mentioning which didn’t make it into the final cut: I suffer with migraines; I’m annoyingly proud of my red hair; I always lie on Pottermore so I get Gryffindor when really, I’m Slytherin through and through; I’m passionate about tolerance and diversity; it took me seven years to pass my driving test; I love superhero films (I secretly wish I was a superhero); my English teacher, Mrs Maise, and my music teacher, Mrs Kettle, influenced me hugely and I believe good teaching and education are the foundation of society; I talk to myself... I mean, really talk to myself; I love the NHS; I hate the pressure we put on young people to look a certain way; I'm a member of the Labour party; Brexit breaks my heart; I don’t get Jane Austen or Charles Dickens which makes me feel guilty; and I love food.
The long version: Stories have always been a huge part of my life. Like most kids, I loved fairy tales and myths and nursery rhymes. Bedtime was super special in our house cos mum would either read something lovely, or dad would make up some bizarre yarn – Big hole, little hole sticks in my mind, about two competitive gnomes who liked to dig… anyway, I digress. I remember my Dad had loads of old sci-fi and fantasy books he’d collected over the years. I used to look at them and feel like Belle when the Beast gave her that fancy library. Ok, so it was just a bookcase in a study, but that sense of wonder and of wanting to read every single one was the same I like to think. I still love fantasy and sci-fi. My favourite book EVER is The Hunger Games, and some of my favourite authors are Stephen King, JK Rowling, Asimov, Orwell and Burgess.
I’ve always enjoyed creative writing. I wrote a lot as a child and teenager because it helped me process and make sense of my experiences and feelings. But I only started writing seriously as an adult about five years ago, and I quickly realized just how much I missed it! I was shortlisted for the Times/Chicken House Children’s fiction Competition in 2015 for my dystopian YA novel The Gallows Dance, and this led to my first contract with The Chicken House for THE FANDOM. I like writing YA fiction because it feels right. It’s the time in my life my emotions were at their most powerful, and the time I was most excited by all things imagination and ‘what if’ related. And that’s what writing is about for me... emotions, imagination and ‘what ifs’.
Music has always been very important to me, both in terms of listening and making. It was a huge part of my childhood, and I’ve always been in various choirs, singing quartets, bands, and orchestras. As you can imagine, I love musical theatre. Stories and music and jazz-hands combined into several hours of joy! What’s not to love? I've always loved Am Dram, and this has resulted in some rather embarrassing costume moments! Writing this, I’m realising just what a geek I am!
I’m extremely lucky in that I had, and still have, lovely parents. We were hardly the Brady bunch, but there was always music and stories and jokes and love. I’m still very close to my parents. They’re always the first people I ring in a crisis or to share good news with, and I love them to bits! I also had, and still have, an awesome big sister. She’s beautiful and clever and the queen of sarcasm. And unlike me, she’s TALL. When I was younger, I had a bit of an awesome-older-sibling-complex. I sometimes didn’t try academically cos I knew I could never do as well as her. But now, I’m just stupidly proud of her. And very grateful she’s given me four wonderful nieces and nephews.
My friends are very important to me. They always have been, but as a single Mum, I think I lean on them more than maybe I did in the past. I have some amazing friends, some of whom I went to school with so I’ve known for over twenty, thirty years (and now I feel old!) I’ve also met some gorgeous, caring, hilarious people through work, training and the National Childbirth Trust. And I’m so lucky that one of my lovely cousins lives nearby with her family. I think the importance of friendship comes across quite strongly in my writing, and I hope it’s something my readers can relate to, because everyone needs a lovely group of mates!
As a grown up (can I say that when I don’t feel grown up at all?) I’ve worked mainly in the field of Psychology. I studied Psychology at undergrad, then worked as an Assistant Psychologist for several years. I completed my Doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2009 (with distinction – this still makes me smile), and I’ve worked as a Clinical Psychologist ever since. There’s not much to say about this other than, I love my job!
I feel the need to mention how much I love floaty things. Anyone familiar with my writing will already know this. Thistledown, dandelion seeds, autumn leaves, blossom petals, whirly birds, bubbles, feathers, snowflakes, butterflies. I think it partly comes from growing up in the countryside surrounded by nature, and partly from watching too many Tim Burton films as a teenager (if you haven’t watched Edward Scissorhands yet, you really should!)
I grew up in a small village in rural Northumberland and I’ve lived in the North East of England most of my life. As such, I’m a typical Geordie, and I always feel sad for anyone who doesn’t live in the North East. I think I’m probably a bit annoying in that sense. Sorry!
And finally, I can’t tell you about myself without telling you about my children, because they are the most important and precious things in my life. I have a little girl and a little boy. They are funny and clever and beautiful and kind and stubborn and crazy. And they love stories, music, and floaty things as much as I do, so we’re a fab little team.
Other things worth mentioning which didn’t make it into the final cut: I suffer with migraines; I’m annoyingly proud of my red hair; I always lie on Pottermore so I get Gryffindor when really, I’m Slytherin through and through; I’m passionate about tolerance and diversity; it took me seven years to pass my driving test; I love superhero films (I secretly wish I was a superhero); my English teacher, Mrs Maise, and my music teacher, Mrs Kettle, influenced me hugely and I believe good teaching and education are the foundation of society; I talk to myself... I mean, really talk to myself; I love the NHS; I hate the pressure we put on young people to look a certain way; I'm a member of the Labour party; Brexit breaks my heart; I don’t get Jane Austen or Charles Dickens which makes me feel guilty; and I love food.
