About me
I grew up on the South Coast of England in a large family that owned a mischievous Dalmatian dog! As a child, I loved ballet, playing the piano, reading and writing. After leaving school, I went on to read Law at Exeter University. I qualified as a solicitor, and began work as a sub-editor for Butterworth's Law Publishers. When my husband's work took us to Hong Kong for two years, I became an editor for Oxford University Press, HK, working on English Language Teaching books for primary school children. I loved writing art briefs for illustrators, directing the recording of language tapes and dreaming up imaginative ways to present the educational material.
Back in England, and now the mother of two small children, I joined the church mother and toddler group and soon became the chief storyteller. My stories, songs, prayers and craft ideas formed the basis for two resource books for leaders of pre-school groups.
When the children were old enough to join the church Sunday club, I wrote and directed some easy nativity plays that were fun to perform and required little rehearsal. They wove new stories around the biblical Christmas story. Easy Ways to Christmas Plays was the first in the Easy Ways series. Teachers were pleased with the practical count-down to the performance that included related drama games, graded activities and a story version of the play to read aloud.
I went on to write a book of bible stories and songs for young musicians (or for assembly use) and various picture book texts.
A love of theatre and performance led me to complete two courses at a local theatre; one on stage-directing, and the other on 'How to write a musical'. In two weeks, we wrote and put on a studio performance of a prequel to Peter Pan.
I enjoy giving talks and workshops on storytelling and drama to church groups. I also speak at national conferences such as the Playtime conferences run by Care for the Family (www.careforthefamily.org.uk) and the Children's Ministry Conference (www.childrensministry.co.uk), encouraging leaders to introduce or improve storytelling at their mother and toddler sessions.
I am currently the Events Organiser for the Association of Christian Writers (www.christianwriters.org.uk) which seeks to encourage and equip Christian writers.
In my spare time, I walk, sing with a small choir called Otto Vocci, go to the theatre and travel with my husband.