Tell us about yourself.:
I'm married, live with my husband Phil. My three adult children, have families of their own and are all successful in their own ways. I've retired from academic life and live in Swanage, a seaside town in Dorset.
I enjoy walking on the Isle of Purbeck and in other areas in the south west when I get a chance.
I enjoy being involved in local politics.
I sing with a choir. I also used to sing with a rock roll band supporting the band with harmonies. My husband was their lead guitarist. We've both given up now but miss the camaraderie and the creativity of producing live music for an audience.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?:
I grew up in Pembrokeshire. My mother died when I was three and I've always felt something missing – I guess I've looked for her all my life. My childhood was traumatic after her death, and I left home as soon as I could. Those childhood experiences have coloured the way I am and I have certainly used them when writing my first book.

I grew up by the sea and have returned to a similar peninsular here in Dorset. Experiencing the peace and quiet of cliff walking enables me to go into another world of my own making. I build characters and plots in my head as I go.

Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I don't think so. I tend to proof read as I finish a section, then I read it out loud to myself. I have to print and see the words. Somehow I miss things when I look at the document on my laptop.

What authors have influenced you?
I grew up in Pembrokeshire. My mother died when I was three and I've always felt something missing – I guess I've looked for her all my life. My childhood was traumatic after her death, and I left home as soon as I could. Those childhood experiences have coloured the way I am and I have certainly used them when writing my first book.

I grew up by the sea and have returned to a similar peninsular here in Dorset. Experiencing the peace and quiet of cliff walking enables me to go into another world of my own making. I build characters and plots in my head as I go.

Do you have any advice for new authors?
As a new author myself-I tried writing a plan – it took me some time and although it was interesting to do, I ended up scrapping it. As I built the characters they took the story over and led me to places I hadn't thought to go. So, trust your characters. Build your story through them. Be persistent. If things aren't going too well, give it a rest and go back when you feel able.

What is the best advice you have ever been given?
Believe in yourself.
Read a lot.

What are you reading now?
The Romantic by William Boyd

What’s your biggest weakness?
Doubting and questioning myself. Thinking I'm not good enough.

What is your favorite book of all time?
I always think of Cold Comfort Farm, by Stella Gibbons. It has made me laugh. But I can think of a whole list of favourite books.

When you’re not writing, how do you like to spend your time?
I like to spend time with my husband, family and friends. I'm a keen nordic walker. I belong to a group and together we have walked the Isle of Purbeck as well as walking in Spain and Italy.
My middle son lives in Melbourne with his family, so we are frequent visitors to Australia. I enjoy travel but I don't particularly enjoy flying.

Do you remember the first story you ever read, and the impact it had on you?
When I was a teenager in Haverfordwest in Pembrokeshire, I spent hours in the library. I read the Dune Trilogy by Frank Herbert and that led me to read a lot of Sci Fi.
Before that, as a lonely youngster, I scoured the house for reading matter. I remember reading Zane Grey – cowboy books, and Biggles – I had two older brothers, neither of whom lived at home.

What has inspired you and your writing style?
I like page turners. When I'm writing I'm there in the room with the characters. I see what I'm writing in colour, in episodes.
I admire Kazuo Ishiguro – for me The Remains of the Day is a masterclass in writing. I like subtlety.
I'm also inspired by what I don't like. I don't like violence, too much swearing or steamy sex scenes, so I don't use them.

What are you working on now?
My second book. It's another murder mystery following on from the first. It's set 20 years later, so the characters from the first book are more mature and will be different because of their experiences.
There are two themes running side by side. A mother and son fleeing danger and their adventures along the way until they reach sanctuary, (or do they). The other story is of a cult and a murder. They will marry together as the murder is eventually solved.

What is your favorite method for promoting your work?
Well, as a complete novice I have had to learn to love social media. I'm using Facebook to reach out to friends and local groups, everything is shared to instagram. I've yet to try X, but I have joined Linkedin.
My book will be stocked by our Local Book Shop and I have a talk booked in our library. As I have friends and relatives in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, I have reached out to them and hope they will plug my book.
I'm taking advice from Blossom Spring Publishers.

What’s next for you as a writer?
Try to finish and get my second book published. Then I want to take my characters and weave a story away from the murder/mystery genre. I admire writers such as Barbara Kingsolver who can take topical themes and keep their readers enthralled.

How well do you work under pressure?
Pretty well. I was used to working full time but as I'm retired now I can choose what I do. I have had to learn to say NO. When I first left full time work, I did a lot of voluntary work, including working with refugees. I chaired a number of organisation and was a Governor at a local school. I've had to stop in order to write, and that was a pressure. The pressure of guilt.

How do you decide what tone to use with a particular piece of writing?
I want readers to enjoy my work. I want to develop as a challenging writer – I'm still finding my way.
I'm sure most of us have books that we have started and then abandoned. I want to write so readers keep reading, right to the end.

If you could share one thing with your fans, what would that be?
Keep reading. There are so many books to enjoy which enrich our lives.

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