'About Me'
Q & A

Where are you based?

Predominantly working from my home studio in Staffordshire. I try to carry a pencil and sketchbook with me everywhere as I am a self-confessed doodler! There is also always a notebook on my bedside table as quite often ideas for my next story will come to me as I am falling off to sleep.
 

Whom would you invite to your dream dinner party?

Hands down Sir Billy Connelly! A fascinating, brilliant, and funny man who also loves art!

Lenny Henry would also be on the guest list! A local comedic genius who also writes for children.

What would your superpower be?

Well, it would have to be to fly! I used to have dreams of this as a child and that feeling of weightlessness would be amazing. It would also be great to look down from a higher place, be nosy and get inspiration for future stories!

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What was the last book you read for fun?

That’s a tricky one as I’m usually reading a few at the same time but the last book I finished was ‘The Giver of Stars’ by JoJo Moyes.  It’s a wonderful story that is based around a mobile library run by women.  I do love all kinds of books though and I particularly enjoy reading with my children which now covers picture books, chapter books and middle grade. For creative advice, anything by Austin Kleon gets a thumbs up from me.

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Is there any author or illustrator you follow or admire?

So many! I recently wrote an article for the SCBWI. Here I share Inspirations From the Bookshelf.

I go into detail about the creatives I love and who inspire me.

 

What are your hobbies?

I enjoy spending time in nature, going for walks and I swim every week.  I love reading and sewing… my university degree was in contour fashion.  I feel a particular pull to the sea so try to visit the coast as often as possible.  I also adore films, all genre but I hold a special place in my heart for the timeless cinema of the 1950’s including Singing in the Rain and Calamity Jane to name just a couple. I remember watching many of these as a child at my grandparents’ house and my mom is a big fan of Doris Day.

 

What makes you uncomfortable?

Inconsiderate people. I was bought up to treat people as you wish to be treated. Kindness is a quality that is free to all.

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Where do you see yourself in five years' time?

I try to focus on the present and live in the moment but if I could choose anywhere, it would be among my loved ones and happy… wherever that transpires to be is good for me. Of course, I plan to still have a sketchbook or note book in hand and also see the books I've written and illustrated on the shelf of bookstores.

 

What would you most like to wear to a fancy dress party?

Oh, I’ve been quite a few characters in the past from Cruella De Vil to the King Kong’s damsel with a massive furry hand wrapped round my middle. 

 

What gets you up in the morning?

Usually my youngest child climbing in to bed, sharing his thoughts at full volume and usually mid sentence. However, on the rare occasion that I get a lie in, then it would have to be a good cuppa. Breakfast tea, white , no sugar (for anyone who's offering).

 

How do you start a project?

With writing, it begins with a few words or sentences that I’ve jotted down in my bedside journal or added into the notes on my phone.  Sometimes these can sit there for a while waiting to evolve into a story. Also, my children provide a lot of inspiration with the things they say and the way in which they see the world.  These little snippets of ideas can come at the most unexpected times.

With illustrating, it begins with rereading the words and highlighting ones that jump from the page… I tend to scribble images as much as write words, so I guess the ideas start at a very early stage. 

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What type of design work do you enjoy the most: traditional or digital? Why?

I do love both traditional methods of illustration and digital and find I tend to use both if I’m honest.  Most illustrations will begin with a pencil, paintbrush and paper but then get passed over to digital when it comes to playing around with images with words.

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How do you overcome a creative block?

I find you can’t force creativity, but you can help it along. Taking a break in the fresh air helps or if it's something I’m banging my head against then I move onto a different project for a little while... I find gaining a little head space or changing focus for a bit does the trick. Also picking a pencil up and doodling is as good a remedy as any in most cases.

 

Have you started writing and/or illustrating your next book?

I have! I'm at first edit with my first middle grade story which I hope to begin querying very soon.

I have a bank of picture book stories that I’m working on and I have a chapter book concept that will not leave me alone so that is beginning to unfold in both sketches and notes.

I'm keen to develop further with older fiction and have a draft manuscript I've written which borders on YA/ New Adult.

Exciting!!

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