What inspired you to write?

There's nothing specific that really stands out - it's just something I always wanted to do from a young age. I loved to read as a child and was always drawn in with the sheer fantasy and adventures of stories.  I'm sure Enid Blyton's Famous Five and Secret Seven books inspired me in some way, and possibly my English teacher who was always asking us to write new stories for homework.   

What genre do you write in?

I starting writing fiction for the female adult market and put that on hold to do some fun work with Brodie McHaggis, which opened up a whole world of fantasy.  I've picked up my original work and hope to one day complete the story that began my journey as an author.

How long does it take to write a book?

Well, that depends on a number of things.  If you're doing it full time, it will happen quicker.  Some can write books in just a few months, some take years.  It took me 2 years to write my first book when I was in full time employment and only one year to write the second book in the series.  The first book was about setting the scene and developing the characters so it naturally did take longer.  The second book was full steam ahead with the ideas that were flowing.  I had no real deadlines.  The most important thing is know your limits when signing up to book deals with publishers because you will be given deadlines and sometimes they can bring on a bout of writer's block.

How old were you when you wrote your first book?

I was 10 when I wrote my first play for friends to act out in the playground at school - but it was confiscated from me by the teachers and my mother was told it was inappropriate for our age.  That dented my confidence and I think that's when I stopped writing!  Other things took priority and there never seemed to be the time or wish to write until in my early 20s.  Over the years, time continued to be precious for other things so I was 38 when I finally decided it was time to start writing my first book.  And I've learned that age is not a barrier, it's just a number.

What books have you written?

Brodie McHaggis and the Secret of Loch Ness

Brodie McHaggis and the Curse of the Scotch Mist

Where do you get your ideas for books?

For the Brodie McHaggis books, the original concept came from my husband, via his mother.  She suggested I enter a competition for writing children's books and when I didn't know what to write about, she told me how my husband used to draw pictures of haggises riding on the back of the Loch Ness monster.  I never did enter the competition, I went straight into writing the books because the ideas just flowed just from an image of a haggis and the Loch Ness monster - but I can't pinpoint how I came up with all the characters and the plots other than an overactive imagination.  Listening to things around me, watching life go by - anything really.  My cat snoring in my office beside the computer led me to make the haggis snore loudly.  I hate the smell of cooked haggis, so I decided that haggis would have a terrible smell ... that could kill midge ... because we have such a problem with midge in Scotland.  I developed the bog lout characters  from a typing error and I developed the baggage flying behind faeries (Curse of the Scotch Mist) by watching people pulling suitcases behind them through airports when I was waiting for my flight one day.  The secret is to open your  imagination and the rest will follow.

Who are your favourite authors?

There are many excellent authors but I don't really have a favourite.  I read a variety rather than sticking to one.

What are your top five writing and/or publishing tips for budding authors?

Believe in yourself

Read a variety of books

Get your work peer reviewed

Take some breaks, but never give up

Protect your work

Enjoy the process

... and don't let anyone put you off. 

What are your other interests?

Writing is a hobby for me at the moment.  I need lots of other things to keep me motivated.  I'm very organised and really enjoy managing projects and teams.  As I neared my 40s, I realised that my poor diet was beginning to play on my health.  I thought I ate healthily and hadn't realised I wasn't taking a lot of the nutrients I actually needed.  I actually hadn't a clue!  Unlike wild animals, we've lost the instinct to know what we should be eating and what makes it even more confusing is the mixed messages from producers, media and science.  This 'discovery' has been very life-changing and has set me off on a new journey of discovering the science behind nutrition and the food we eat, and how I believe that better health leads to greater success ...