I was born and brought up on the Somerset Levels, the setting for my first novel, The Sweet Track, published in 2007 by Flambard Press. I left home at eighteen for the University of East Anglia, where I studied the History of Art, and began spreading my wings and enjoying life.

I worked for several years as a Social Worker, firstly in Norwich, then in Brixton London. I taught in Greenwich and Deptford and did my teacher’s training at Goldsmith’s.

I travelled abroad for a year: in Sri Lanka, India, Kashmir, Nepal and Thailand -  a long time ago now! When I came back I began working as a temporary teacher in a local women’s prison HMP Low Newton, on the outskirts of Durham city. In 1999 I met Writer-in-Residence Wendy Robertson and that’s when I started writing.

In 2003 I was fortunate enough to get a Northern Promise Award, from New Writing North, which paid for mentorship from Wendy. Since then I have completed several novels, as well as written short stories.

I left the prison in 2008 in order to write. I hadn’t meant to stay so long but almost from the start I became deeply involved with the women and their lives - read more here

Now I have much more time and space in my life to write – novels and short stories. I often run workshops with writer’s groups in the community, including small novel groups. I really enjoy these, as the teacher in me is always excited about enabling and inspiring others.

I am a founder member of Roomtowrite click here to find out more about our organisation.