I've actually made a short video of the background of this series which you can view on https://youtu.be/fxSppCh0_N0

The Dalai Lama has been shocked to be told of how common it is for people in the west to not love themselves. From my own life and my experience as a clinical hypnotherapist, I have found it to be very common. If I can show even one person how to love themselves, I will have changed the world for the better because that would be like throwing a stone in a pond. The ripples of well being just spread out and affect those connected to that one person. I chose the title because I thought it was a bit humourous in the context of Western culture that pretends we can have a quickie nirvana or instant change in our personal development. It just doesn't happen. There is no substitute for investing the time that it takes to grow in wisdom and compassion. I do understand that your inner world can shift in a moment and your perspective can change from that moment. But integrating that change into your life in a meaningful way takes time.

Years ago I did a creative writing evening course. The teacher was great, and I met some interesting people. We attended the follow-on course and then the teacher emigrated. So (like the old Mickey Rooney movies!) we said - We can make our OWN writer's group! So we did. It's down to two of us now and we meet about every month or so. We have a news catch up and have tea and cake (very important!) and I do a bit of Reiki on my friend's Chihuahua, Flynn. Eventually we start work. (Wouldn't want to overdo it!) We write some creative pieces for fun and then set out our goals for our next meeting. I really enjoy our meetings because writing is so solitary. It really helps me to have time out with a like-minded person and I always feel rejuvenated afterwards.

Fiction - Jodi Piccoult, Diane Chamberlain and Sheila Jeffries. Non-fiction I read mostly metaphysics and am a major Jack Kornfield fan. I also like Gregg Braden and Elaine Aron.

Cats walking on my head looking for their breakfast!

As well as being a writer, I am a clinical hypnotherapist and master energy healer and an animal healer. In my spare time I read a lot (surprise!) and I enjoy listening to classical music or jazz.

My first book was torturous because I didn't know what I was doing. Now I just do an outline of a non-fiction book and take it from there. I do plan to write a novel but not just yet. I am enjoying writing non-fiction at this time.

My favourite fiction book is Jodi Piccoult's Leaving Time, because the surprise ending is so well crafted. My favourite non-fiction book is Jack Kornfield's The Wise Heart, because it makes Buddhist psychology so accessible.

I enjoy both novels and metaphysics. I used to read thrillers but I have gotten to the stage where I don't want to be reading about violence when there is enough violence in the world. I like books that explore how people get to where they are and how they find a way forward in this mad world. We need stories to feed our spirits and that's what I enjoy reading.

Still working on that one!!!!

It has a broadsheet newspaper to soak up Large Wet Cat Paw Prints as a damage limitation exercise before His Lordship reaches the keyboard.

I wrote excruciatingly bad poetry when I was fifteen.

I'm no spring chicken and I decided that if I was going to get published I better do it myself!