Books are all over my home. My dad was a great lover of Wilbur Smith and my mum couldn’t resist a good crime thriller. Now, as a single mum, I make story time a big part of the bed-time routine, either books or ‘brain stories’ as my kids call it when I make them up. I want them to have a love of reading; to know that by opening a book you can become anyone and travel anywhere.
Hold Your Tongue
My love of reading led to writing. Stories about fairies at the bottom of the garden when I was a kid, moving to supernatural, horror and crime fiction as I matured. Writing is an escape. My debut novel, Hold Your Tongue, has been described as dark, gritty and graphic which surprises me as in ‘real life’ I’m a big softie. I think it comes of starting to write it when I felt trapped in a place and relationship that no longer made me happy. Although, by the end, life was brighter which I hope is reflected in the book’s ending. Writing dark themes is also an exploration of my own fears, but from the comfort of my writing desk. I try to avoid gratuitous violence, not describing the act of murder itself but rather the aftermath and the reality of what officers are faced with.
I spent years feeling stifled by 9–5 routines. My CV shows that – from working as a secretary to my stint as a postie. I’m so lucky to be writing.
Music is important to me. The radio is always on in my kitchen and I admit to a love of all things 80s. My poor kids think they’re cool knowing all the words. I’ve yet to tell them that the songs are twenty-plus years old.
I love cookery shows. Masterchef, Great British Menu, Saturday Kitchen, you name it. I’d be lying if I said that Marcus Wareing doesn’t influence my Masterchef viewing. I’d like to say this love of all things culinary transfers to fine dining in my home . . . It doesn’t.
Earlier this year I lost my best friend. My mum. She always listened, never judged, and supported my decisions in life. I’m so grateful that she knew about my decision to follow my dream of being published and that it came true. I just wish she’d been here to read the final draft and see the book out there.
I’m great at karaoke and give Sinead O’Connor a run for her money when I sing ‘Nothing Compares 2 u.’ This is of course usually heavily influenced by wine and the fact I’m delusional.