As far back as I can remember, I’ve enjoyed making up stories. I have a memory from when I was still in nappies of laying in my cot, unable to sleep, and engrossed in a daydream about encountering a witch.

In that particular episode, I first saw the witch through broken glass, which when I come to think of it is an odd thing for a toddler. Perhaps I’d seen a broken window when I was out and about with my mother? It must have made quite an impression on my young mind because I remember it well even now.

When I started school and learned to read I loved drifting off into my own little worlds – often during lessons – where I had adventures with characters from books, comics, TV or films, or with characters and situations I made up. The teachers didn’t seem to notice, probably because I developed a habit of losing myself in my imagination while keeping my eyes on them as they taught the class.

I also loved drawing but would often be disappointed because my teachers never wanted me to draw dragons, wizards, unicorns, knights in armour and all those other wonderful things I read about or saw in illustrations or films.

“Draw a picture of your house,” they would say.

But when I added a gnarled old apple tree, complete with a witch picking the fruit, they would say, “Don’t be silly. You don’t have a witch in your garden. Draw a cat instead.”

I was mystified. I didn’t have a cat either.

Adults, eh?

Now that I’m all grown up (or pretending to be) I can indulge my imagination and write and draw what I like! Even witches picking apples.

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What I’m working on

I’m excited to announce I’ve published the print version of Daphne Mayne and the Goblin Quest.

You can buy a paperback copy from one of these stores:
Amazon USA
Amazon UK
Amazon Canada

If you enjoyed Goblin Quest and are keen to know what happens next, you’ll be pleased to learn I’m on track with the next book, The Hounds of Magic, which I plan to publish in June.

In the meantime, check out the beautiful companion jewelry that’s available online.