I have always loved stories. Growing up, I kept so many books hidden in my bed for reading after lights out that there was barely room for me! I also loved writing stories – my first being a tale about a baby bird called Snowy, who hurt her leg and had to hop her way to safety.

 

I started thinking seriously about being a writer when I was in secondary school, but didn’t do anything about it because I didn’t really believe it was possible. The thought of seeing a book in the shops with my name on it seemed too amazing to ever be a reality. I was afraid that I’d fail, so I didn’t risk trying– and that is definitely the worst reason in the world!

 

Having my first son was the kick in the bottom I needed. Suddenly I had someone depending on and looking up to me, and it made me want to do better. Once he started school I applied for a Creative Writing MA at Brunel University, intending to write grown up novels full of tragedy and despair. But then I got the idea for ‘The Really Big Stink’ and from then on, writing for children was all I wanted to do.

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I live in London, in a house full of children, animals and Pokemon. When I’m not busy mothering or step-mothering (which isn’t often) I love to read, write and run, as fast as I can. My favourite things are books, trees and fluffy slippers, and my favourite place in the world is my home, where I can sit at the end of my garden, by the river, with tea and cake, coming up with story ideas in my pyjamas.