Q: First tell us something about yourself.
I’m a wife and mum of two young boys living in Wales, UK. I love being outdoors, especially on rainy days! I believe I’m what’s known as a ‘pluviophile’ (somebody who finds joy in rainy days).
Q: How and when did your journey start as a writer?
I like to think I’ve been a writer since I knew how to write! My mum loves telling me how, when I was a young girl in primary school, I’d spend break times with a pen in my hand writing stories instead of running around with the other girls and boys.
Specifically thinking of my journey as a published writer, I set myself a New Year’s resolution this year to publish a book. I had always thought this would be a YA mystery book (I loved Enid Blyton as a child), but actually found it immensely rewarding writing short, simple stories that could be understood and enjoyed by my own children. I didn’t take much convincing to start my ‘journey’ as a published writer this way.
Q: When did you write your first story? Is it published or not?
The first story I remember writing was a mystery book with the main character based on the type of girl I wished I was at that time: confident, adventurous, quirky). I was only a young teenager so it wasn’t published; I do however remember sharing it with a pen pal I had who lived in America and being overjoyed when she said she found the characters relatable and enjoyed the story. Success!
Q: Tell us something more about your books.
I had initially aimed to only publish one book, but I loved both of these and couldn’t decide between them.
The Path to Friendship is, at its simplest, a tale of friendship focused on a young boy and his dog making a new friend. It addresses issues such as not judging a book by its cover, considering the impact of your actions and reminds us all to lead with kindness.
I Want to be an Astronaut follows two brothers on a whistle-stop tour of our solar system, teaching children the names and order of the planets and introducing the concept that there is more in space than is traditionally taught at this young age.
Through both books, I really enjoyed taking these complex ideas like difficult social interactions and space science and making them understandable to young children.
Oh and both books also have some really cool activity pages at the end to carry on the fun once the story has ended!
Q: How did these stories and characters come to your mind?
The boys in I Want to be an Astronaut are based on my children. They are obsessed with space! That book really is a tribute to them, their shared passion and also as a reminder to never stop being curious.
For The Path to Friendship, I was visiting a relative with my youngest son one day. I watched the joy emanate from him as he developed a beautiful friendship with their dog. The story practically fell out of my brain as I imagined the wonderful adventures they could have together. I wrote that one very quickly and can honestly say the text barely changed from that initial moment right up to the final published version!
Q: Do you want to leave any message for your readers?
Just to reiterate the themes of the books: Never stop being curious and lead with kindness – always.
