About
I have been writing stories ever since I can remember. I love how words make you feel; how they connect people to one another, how they inspire. My career to date has involved words in one fashion or another - from a broadcast journalist and radio newsreader, to a marketing manager, copywriter, and a media manager.
As the years have gone by, I've realised you don't have to knock out a literary masterpiece at your first attempt, and your words don't have to be perfect in every sentence. You have to love the process and the craft to create the magic. I've written a few novels and children's books (unpublished) and I'm currently writing a novel based on an idea I had many years ago. I also love collecting ideas for future novels. In 2024, I signed up to do my first creative writing course which was so good! In 2025, I plan to keep putting pen to paper, and to keep showing up.
I'm Reading...
CARELESS PEOPLE
Sarah Wynn-Williams
I stumbled across this in the local supermarket the other day and can't put it down. The author is a former New Zealand diplomat who finds herself at the forefront of global policy making at Facebook, meeting governments and heads of state and trying to change the world one campaign at a time. It's ruthless and brutal, and exposes the inner workings of Facebook. You won't be disappointed.
THE WOMEN'S ROOM
Marilyn French
This is my dog-eared copy of one of my absolute favourites that I re-read as much as I can. It's social commentary at its best as it follows Mira navigating the world as a girl, teenager, woman, wife and mother. Challenging social norms and stepping out of what's expected, Mira questions her place in the world and how she and others are perceived. It's a great read and makes you ask all these questions yourself.
So, what's on your TBR list for 2025? If you're like me, you'll have numerous titles ready and waiting. Admittedly, you may have spent much of 2024 curating your list and you've got so many books to be devoured. Building steadily, it now resembles a rather long and never ending food shopping list. But, you don't care and you're going to carry on regardless.
I discovered Patricia Cornwell many years ago and quickly polished off her entire crime series. I must admit I did lose faith in the series midway but thanks to a few hot days last summer spent in my back garden I rekindled my love for this series and I've got her latest, Identity Unknown, near the top of my list.
I like to read a few books at once sometimes so while reading The Life Impossible by Matt Haig I'm also really enjoying I Haven't Been Entirely Honest With You from Miranda Hart. Her words are really comforting and just what the doctor ordered for these dark days of January.
Having read one of the Camino series by John Grisham on holiday in Greece last summer, I've got the other two Camino Island and Camino Winds in my sights. The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods looks utterly charming and I've been promising myself to get to When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi. I also really loved I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes so I've treated myself to his latest, The Year of the Locust.
Then, for good measure, I'm planning to re-read a few favourites. Top is The Women's Room by Marilyn French - truly inspiring and groundbreaking. Finally, I'll also treat myself to re-reading one of my favourite authors, Lionel Shriver. She's intense and controversial, and her books are absolute powerhouses.
Oh and before I go, my recommendation for a masterpiece if you haven't already devoured it? Read Yellowface by Rebecca F. Kuang. It focuses on a writer who steals a manuscript from a fellow writer and passes it off as her own. With a punishing look at the publishing industry, I just couldn't put this book down!