Writing is generally done in isolation. Writers, however, tend to be 'people' people. I certainly am. I realised, some years ago, that I needed to balance the intense commitment of working long and hard on my latest manuscript - often in a world of complete make-believe, inhabited by fictional folk - with interaction with living people in the real world. I also discovered, through tutoring, that it is wonderfully fulfilling to 'give back'. My knowledge, expertise and experience are wasted if I keep them to myself.
I am passionate about all aspects of the written word. Encouraging and assisting students to fulfil their writing potential has proved to be one of the most rewarding aspects of my career. No two students are the same, and no two writing sessions are the same. My job is to bring out the best writer that you can be.
I have taught creative writing to groups of adult students at the Open University; on private residential retreats in Cornwall, Italy, Portugal and Dubai; I have hosted workshops in Mumbai; I have coached and helped many individuals, one-to-one. I have also lectured widely on the subject, to adults as well as to junior and senior schoolchildren - including at my own former school in Kent.
The Ravensbourne School, Kent. A Levels: English (A), French (A), Spanish (A)
Polytechnic of Central London (Westminster University) and l'Alliance Francaise, Paris: Diploma Business Studies and Languages (French, Spanish).
I am qualified to write, and to teach writing, by dint of experience. I worked for more than twenty years as a national newspaper journalist. My books are published around the world in twenty-seven languages.
I was once kidnapped by Ozzy Osbourne and Rod Stewart in Los Angeles!