ALL ABOUT ME  I was born in Cheshire, England and grew up in Australia and New Zealand. I now live in Buckinghamshire with my husband and two cats and have a daughter who lives in Australia.

WRITING I enjoyed writing essays at school but was useless at writing stories. Nevertheless, I wrote my first book when I was 14 and sent it to a publisher who wrote back a very nice rejection letter! My first book to be published (many years later) was called Avalanche (Hamish Hamilton). For many years I have been a tutor for both Writers' News and The Writers Bureau's Writing for Children courses. I review books for Armadillo Magazine and occasionally do proof-reading. I have had a number of verses published in greetings cards, calendars and diaries.

LIKES Animals (most), roller coasters, steam trains, skiing, plain chocolate brazils

DISLIKES Doing housework, weeding, parsnips

AFRAID OF... Large insects (including spiders), cassowaries, climbing ladders

HOBBIES Reading, playing the violin, watching films, pottering in the garden, doing prize puzzles (but have won very little)

WHAT MAKES ME MAD Injustice, inefficiency