Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I live and work in the wonderful west highlands of Scotland. I write mostly teenage fiction but also dabble in radio drama and scriptwriting.
I have written three young adult novels including a page-turning thriller, Sea Change, and the first two books in the fun Love and the Village series – Deleted and Delivered.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Delivered, published in November 2020, is the second book in my Love and the Village series and follows on from Deleted. Teenagers, wherever they are, face the same challenges when growing towards adulthood. I love writing about the day-to-day life of these young adults and their crazy shenanigans.
I previously taught in secondary schools in England and Scotland.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to write a first draft with pencil and A4 notepad. But my handwriting is quite bad so I have to follow this up on the computer quite quickly otherwise I’ve no idea what I’ve written! I’m probably in the middle of the plotser-pantser continuum – usually have an outline in mind but happy to work out the story as it progresses. (unless it doesn’t!)
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love the Georgia Nicolson books, and would love to write like Louise Rennison. Aidan Chambers and Patrick Ness are big influences on my teen fiction. I also have a bunch of Scottish crime writers I hugely admire including Val McDermid and Stuart McBride.
What are you working on now?
Two main projects at the moment. The next book in the Love and the Village series is ticking along and I have an adult novel I’m working on too.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Word of mouth up until now. I’m just entering the Amazon Ad zone!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing and reading. Note down those odd scraps of brilliant dialogue you hear on the bus etc. – you will forget them otherwise
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Don’t be boring.
What are you reading now?
I’m reading the latest Mick Herron book in the Slough House series set in ‘the London outpost for disgraced MI5 spies’. Such fabulous narration.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Writing for an adult market will be the next big challenge. My work in progress also requires quite a bit of research and will be a more complex plot than my YA fiction. So plenty to do.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Pride and Prejudice, The Picture of Dorian Gray, and a big thick thesaurus.
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