When I was seven, I read a book called Momotaro. Amazed words could create other worlds, I then devoured Roald Dahl’s children’s and adult stories – scaring myself in the process – and learned more about him. I thought, ‘Yes. That's what I want to do: write children’s books and weird adult stories in a shed at the end of the garden.’ Except we didn’t have a garden, I thought I had no imagination, and believed I came from the wrong background. Avoiding stories until well into adulthood, I wrote copious poems and a song called 'Momotaro', which had no relevance to the book, and was as basic as you can imagine from a child who decided she had no imagination.

Though much of my writing is fiction, it is influenced by life experiences, together with the wisdom – and lack of it – that has guided me through both hardships and joys. I find writing painful, difficult, joyous and necessary. To not write – I have discovered to my detriment – is to feel my soul shrivel. I also love to read, dance, play instruments, create art in many forms, and find peace in nature. I live with my husband, Lee.