One more story…

^{I started writing children’s stories when I noticed myself enjoying my son’s bedtime stories a little too much and it was me asking him “please can we read this one tonight?” I am inspired by my kids, the things they say and do and how they react to the world around them. I am a sucker for a story with heart and friendship at its core.}

My Background

Life Experiences

“I never gave up hope when I was ill and used to dream of the day when I would get my Forrest Gump moment and run!!”

Before I started writing children’s fiction, I wrote about my own life experiences. I had ME/CFS in my 20s and thankfully recovered from this after a few horrible years with the illness. I have wanted to be a mum for as long as I can remember. My road to holding a healthy baby in my arms was not an easy one. Like many others, we suffered two miscarriages and sadly had to have our third pregnancy terminated due to a rare genetic condition called Triploidy. The heartbreak of hearing our baby’s heartbeat, knowing she could not survive, was unimaginable. I decided that day that I would ensure her memory lived on and I would share her story with my first born. I wrote my first story to do just that.

My First Story

“The Star and the Bee” is my way of teaching my son about his big sister up in the sky, always watching over him. Since having my second child, I felt complete in my journey into becoming a mum and could feel the writing urge calling me. At this time, I also entered the world of Autism through my son, and from learning about it, realised I am also Autistic. This further inspired my writing. I was already creating neurodivergent characters but just didn’t know it. I can’t write any other way as that is all I know. I hope to show children, through my stories, that it is ok to be yourself, no matter how different you may feel.

Trying to Fit in

Growing up, I didn’t know what I wanted to be. I knew I wanted to be a mum more than anything and couldn’t really see past that. I studied Economics at university which suited my mix of a logical and creative mind. I felt that I must go into business as that’s what Economics graduates do, so I did. I was never unhappy in that world but it did feel like I was just passing the time of day. I had terrible imposter syndrome in every job I did and felt exhausted at the end of each day due to having to mask to fit in. I do believe this is what led to me having ME/CFS in my mid 20s. I forced myself into work everyday when I knew inside I wasn’t well. Eventually, this became impossible.

A Mum and a Writer

All the experiences we have in life shape the person we become. I see everything I have been through as part of my journey to help me become what I was always meant to be, a mum and a writer. I never gave up hope when I was ill and used to dream of the day when I would get my Forrest Gump moment and run!!