I don’t read as much as I probably should -

1. The first thing that might come as a surprise is that despite being a writer I hardly ever finish reading a book. It takes something very unique and special to keep my interest. Perhaps it’s a short attention span or just general fussiness I don’t know but when I do enjoy a book I devour it as quickly as I can. And I mean devour. Getting to the end starts to feel like a mission I must accept. I will also only review a book if I can give it 5 stars although there was one exception from a big name that I will never reveal who was awarded a three star. I’ve felt guilty about that ever since. I will also shout about the books I love to everyone who will listen.

I’m a huge true crime fan -

2. I watch a lot of true crime television and movies. I am fascinated by serial killers and the serial killer phenomena. I am intrigued by the person as well as their crimes. What led them to do what they did. My background is in psychiatric nursing and it was the field of forensic psychiatry that intrigued me the most which is probably why I often write aspects of this into my books.

My woodland legacy -

3.I have a garden full of what I call my baby trees which I have grown from seeds I’ve collected on walks and even a wander along to the shop provided enough acorns and sycamore helicopters to start my collection. I have a nice selection of sycamore, oak, elder, hazel and more. It is a strong feeling I have that I, one day, plant a woodland to leave as my legacy to future generations.

Mrs Green fingers -

4. I grow lots of my own fruits and vegetables in my garden. This years have tomatoes, potatoes, raspberries, strawberries, salad leaves and rhubarb. Lots and lots of rhubarb! Virtually the national rhubarb collection I think some days. We have a few fruits trees also and there are very few puddings in this world better than apple crumble made from my bramleys.

Shark Attack -

5. I have a crushing phobia of great white sharks. A perfectly rational fear if you think about it. They don’t want us in the water with them so I am happy to oblige their request to leave them alone. I am unable to even look at a picture of one. When my son was very small he really loved his picture encyclopaedias and inevitably there always a huge picture of an open mouthed shark, it’s teeth proudly on display. National geographic channel is another place I have to avoid because they appear to have a shark obsession! I can trace my fear back to seeing the trailer for the movie Jaws. I have never attempted to watch the movie and I doubt I ever will.

I’m a spooky fan -

6. I am a HUGE fan of all things paranormal and love the television show Most Haunted. I am a strong believer that spirits exist in some form or another whether that be in energy or in actual physical form. I like to think that we are not alone and that those that have gone before us can reach us if they want to and I believe they do regularly whether it’s in the form of finding a feather or with just a feeling of not being alone. I have personally experienced smells and sounds that I can’t explain. Also sensations of a presence next to me but I have yet to see anyone.

My acting career -

7. I was in a movie many years ago. It was called The Rocket Post and based on the true story of a German scientist who invented a way to send post via rocket. He was wanted by Germany and was sentenced to death for not helping them. I played the courtroom stenographer and had to wear a wig that made me look like Margaret Thatcher. It wasn’t an experience I would like to repeat but it was really interesting to see how a movie is made. I would much rather create a character than play one. I have since penned some scripts which are sitting in my desk drawer. Maybe they’ll transfer from paper to screen one day. However good luck trying to see me in the movie. Blink and you’ll miss me!

My tea addiction -

8. I drink copious amounts of tea when I’m writing and even when I’m not. I usually get through ten cups of tea on an average writing day perhaps more if I’m editing. I do alternate between decaffeinated and real tea otherwise I would never sleep. My caffeine consumption would just be too much. I also love Jaffa cakes with my tea and eat them three at a time.

My horse obsession

9. I am a HUGE fan of horse racing and horses in general. If I’m in need of a pick me up I will switch on YouTube and watching the horses will fill my heart with absolute joy. There are no words to describe the way they make me feel. One day I want to own my own racehorse and travel with it to race meetings. My twitter name is denmanisfab and that is because Denman was my favourite racehorse and he was fabulous!

Itchy Fingers

10. I really, really love writing. I will write anything and everything. If I can’t write I feel tense so if all I can manage is a list or a rough plot then at least I’ve written. I experience a sensation I call itchy fingers and need a fix of my notebook to relieve it. I have ten notebooks on the go at any one time and the same number of those bic four colour pens. I think I must have about 20 of them in my desk drawer where only the green section works. I feel like I have to keep them because they might still be useful. It’s also weird to think how spectacularly I failed my Higher English exam now. I’ve often wondered what my old English teacher would say if he knew.