triz

I started writing fiction at the age of 6 years. Our infant class had to write about what we'd done at the weekend, and mine was a complete work of fiction from start to finish - with just enough reality to puzzle the teacher. I did have sisters - but not five of them - and I certainly hadn't spent entire weekend knitting socks and scarves for them!

My first piece was a letter published in a girl's comic called Mandy - I was 9 or 10. At the age of 12 I had a letter published in a national newspaper bemoaning the lack of equality between the sexes and how this affected school uniform choices for girls - we weren't allowed to wear trousers, but the boys at my (Scottish) school, could wear kilts! Around the same time I finished a cowboy novel and reams of poetry, and made a pledge that I would always write, even if only for myself, I should never stop writing. But then, life took over in the form of a teenage marriage, a baby, a divorce and earning a living.

Throughout the years since (over 30 of them) I've attended numerous writing courses. I've had some short stories, non fiction articles and poetry published but in a very small way and with no financial reward - I'm still waiting for the high street vouchers I was promised for the last professional article I wrote!

Last week, I finally jumped ship from a toxic but secure and well paid job, to a much more satisfying, albeit low paid and temporary one, to give me 2 days a week to fulfil that pledge to myself - to start, and keep writing.

people, history, crime, science, the natural world - and writing!