Hi there, I write stories for children
I was born and grew up in Newcastle, a city in the North East of England. Since retiring as a newspaper reporter, I'm following my childhood dream of being an author.
As a kid, I read books under the bedclothes by torchlight. Now I dive under the covers, torch in hand, to scribble down conversations between my book characters in case I forget them in the morning.
I’ve written stories since I was about eight years old. I wrote them on a toy typewriter and my dad did the illustrations.
When I wasn’t pounding on my typewriter, I smashed a tennis ball against the brick end of a block of garages beside my home. For hours on end I perfected my lob, backhand and forehand shots – all the time spinning stories in my head.
I drafted my first novel about 10 years ago but gave up because of a condition called Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), which caused pains in my hands and wrists. Since retiring, the pains have eased and I have published my first novel, a children’s fantasy called ANTics, based on a dream about ants.
I get a lot of inspiration for my stories from dreams. ANTics came from a dream inspired by watching a group of ants carry a potato crisp back to their nest.
Animals won't stop talking to me (in my imagination). I've also penned another animal fantasy called WOOF and am putting the finishing touches to a sequel to ANTics. Then... (watch this space)
As a kid, I read books under the bedclothes by torchlight. Now I dive under the covers, torch in hand, to scribble down conversations between my book characters in case I forget them in the morning.
I’ve written stories since I was about eight years old. I wrote them on a toy typewriter and my dad did the illustrations.
When I wasn’t pounding on my typewriter, I smashed a tennis ball against the brick end of a block of garages beside my home. For hours on end I perfected my lob, backhand and forehand shots – all the time spinning stories in my head.
I drafted my first novel about 10 years ago but gave up because of a condition called Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), which caused pains in my hands and wrists. Since retiring, the pains have eased and I have published my first novel, a children’s fantasy called ANTics, based on a dream about ants.
I get a lot of inspiration for my stories from dreams. ANTics came from a dream inspired by watching a group of ants carry a potato crisp back to their nest.
Animals won't stop talking to me (in my imagination). I've also penned another animal fantasy called WOOF and am putting the finishing touches to a sequel to ANTics. Then... (watch this space)
