I thought it was about time, you all got to know me a little better. The author, the person behind the stories. If you are a site member, please feel free to comment and let me know a bit about yourself. I enjoy connecting with my readers.
EARLY LIFE
My father was born in Glasgow Scotland, and my mother was born in Southampton England. They migrated here in 1970, and were what was known back then, as 10 pound poms, coming over by ship, to start a new life in Australia. I am extremely proud to be the very first person born an Aussie, on both sides of my family.
I was born in 1976 at The Royal Women’s Hospital in Paddington Sydney. My mum and dad lived in Randwick, in Sydney’s eastern suburbs at the time. We moved to Kogarah near the shores of Botany Bay, when I was eighteen months old. In 1979 my younger sister Claire came along.
My parents pregnant with me
We then moved to Sydney’s Sutherland Shire near The Royal National Park when I was ten, and it was here that I spent the rest of my very happy childhood. This is why I am a big fan of the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Rugby League Team.
I was a child who always enjoyed school and finished my higher school certificate in 1993. Yes, I was a big fat nerd. A word nerd. It’s no surprise that English was one of my favourite subjects at school, along with drama and music.
I was one of those little girls who would dance around my bedroom, with my hairbrush, pretending I was on the stage singing. I enjoyed performing in the school musicals, and often had the main part. I could hold a tune, and got that from my father.
My parents sadly separated when I was 14, but they were both still wonderful parents to me and my sister.
My year ten formal. Please forgive the big hair and the taffeta
I hated sport, and have never been an athletic person. My sister, on the other hand was the sporty type. We were, and are still to this day, like chalk and cheese. I have always been the creative type with a great imagination.
Me and dad when I was born
I am very close to my mum, who is my best friend. I would be lost without her.
Me and mum
CAREER
I was always interested in going into Nursing. When I left school, I worked as a cashier in a supermarket for 6 months, before getting a job at a local Nursing Home as an Assistant in Nursing, keeping in mind, this was back in the days where you could walk in off the street, and be trained on the job. Needless to say, it obviously didn't put me off, as I am now an Aged Care Clinical Nurse Consultant in an Emergency Department in Western Sydney.
Very early on in my nursing career, I knew I wanted to work with the older population. Not only can we learn so much from them, but they are often the most vulnerable. I love being an advocate for them, and take great pride in being the one to ensure they receive the care, dignity, and respect they deserve, when they present to hospital for treatment.
Me in the day job
My nursing degree graduation with mum and dad
Both of the books I am currently working on were inspired by patient stories I heard at work. There are not enough stories told about older people, and they often feel invisible within society.
Now, onto my writing. I have always loved to write, and although I enjoy my job as a nurse, if I had my time over again, I would do something else, to do with writing. Writing is my true passion, but unfortunately it does not pay the bills.
I wrote lots of poetry and short stories as a child. I only started working on my first novel in 2012. I really enjoy creating stories that people can relate to, and make them laugh. We all need more laughter in this world. Am I right?
LOVE, LOSS, AND MOVING ON
I met my now, ex-husband when I was 23, and we got married in 2002, when I was 26. We were happy for many years, but unfortunately, due to a few issues, the last six or so years of the marriage were very unhappy. I was miserable, and made the heartbreaking decision to walk away, after 17 years together, for my own happiness, and sanity. It was, and always will be one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.
One of the major factors in coming to this decision, was the sudden loss of my wonderful father in 2013. He died unexpectedly in his sleep, at age 66. He was so young, and was taken far too soon. I still miss him every day, and all my books are dedicated to him. My dad always said ‘Matey, you have a great imagination. You should write a bloody book.’ Sadly he died before he ever got to see me publish, but I know he would be very proud.
This sudden and heartbreaking loss, made me stop and evaluate absolutely everything in my life. I realised I was very unhappy in my marriage, but it took a further 4 years for me to leave. As I said before, it’s not an easy decision to make.
Now, as some of you may know, I am now in a wonderful relationship with Chris. He made me smile again, after years of being unhappy. He had two young boys from his previous relationship, and I had no kids of my own. The boys were nine 9 and 5 when I met them. Their names are Harrison and Xavier. As they were quite young when I came into their lives, it helped me build a good relationship with them. They are now thirteen and nine.
Our first pic together
Once our relationship progressed, we started an arrangement where the kids lived between the two homes, week on and week off. Their father is a shift worker, so a lot of it falls on me, as he is often at work. Nearly four years later, it’s still a rude shock to my system lol. This experience was the inspiration behind my funny little novella titled ‘Crayons and Chaos’. Adjusting to becoming an instant step mum to two young boys, with no kids of my own, was the perfect idea for a humorous story. My protagonist likens it to having your life hi-jacked by two miniature terrorists. It was a fun story to write.
Chris with Harrison and Xavier
PERSONALITY
I am a very social person and like to get out and about. Although I love our wonderful home we own in Sydney’s far western suburb of Glenmore Park, I am not a home body. Lockdowns and such during Covid-19, at times, had me climbing the walls. I love to take my laptop to a café and work on my books.
I am more of a morning person than my boyfriend, as my body clock does not give me much of a choice. I work business hours, Monday to Friday, so even if I want to sleep in, more often than not, I’m awake by 7am. Chris on the other hand, could sleep all day. I call him ‘Rippy’, short for Rip Van Winkle.
I can sadly be a glass half empty type of person, and often jump to the worst case scenario, worrying myself sick, about something that may never happen.
I am a loyal friend, love animals, and have a wicked sense of humour, which I hope shines through in my writing.
Our girl Honey
Our boy Sid
INTERESTS AND HOBBIES
I am a cruise addict, and cannot wait until it is safe to sail again. It is by far, the best way to holiday. I have cruised around Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, and the Caribbean so far.
Heading off on our first cruise together from The Overseas Passenger Terminal in Sydney
I used to love beading and jewellery making, although I haven’t done it for many years. I really must get back into it.
I am a huge fan of musical theatre. My protagonist from ‘Making March’ often referenced song titles and quotes from musical theatre. I am very much looking forward to seeing Hamilton with a good friend of mine in June.
My favourite band is Def Leppard and funny enough, they are also Chris’ favourite band. It was one of the things we discovered very early on, that we had in common. I also love Culture Club. Yes, yes, I know, I am showing my age.
I of course, love to read, but sadly don’t get as much time to read as I would like. I enjoy reading light hearted women’s fiction, humour, romance, and thrillers.
A LAST WORD
Well, that’s about it. Hopefully you are still reading, and I haven’t bored you all to death. I hope you enjoyed getting to know a bit more about me. I look forward to bringing you all my upcoming novella titled ‘Not Dead Yet’, later this year, and my upcoming novel titled ‘Scattered Scones’ next year.
