I grew up on a council estate where stories were shared in snatches of conversation over garden fences and were both ordinary and extraordinary, in the same moment.

I didn’t plan to become a writer. I became a firefighter—drawn to the real, the practical, the work of showing up when it matters. But life has a way of offering new callings, and writing found its way to me; steady and persistent.

My life has given me a no-nonsense sense of what matters and a deep respect for honesty, humour, and human connection. This approach now shapes everything I do on the page.

Writing has taken me on an interesting and unplanned journey from Private Eye to political editor for Asian Standard newspaper; from ghost-writing travel books to articles on wellness and wellbeing.

Over time I came to realise the skills I had acquired along the way to becoming a writer were valuable to other people. Out of this idea developed a range of workshops focusing on creative writing, journaling, and writing as a tool for well-being.

And where will the journey take me next - I’ve started writing the story of my early years and those garden fences. But more of that later …