In primary school, around the age of ten, I was introduced to 'Creative Writing' as part of a national schools competition. Two of my entries won first prize in their categories, and that opened the floodgates of my writing passion. I wrote purely for my own pleasure, rarely showing anyone beyond poems or short stories written for school. I dreamt of becoming a best-selling author, or a journalist, but life led me down another path. I've never stopped writing, but it's only in the last few years that I've started to share my work.

I was offered a publishing contract after winning a competition, but I discovered that the 'publisher' used a self-publishing website. In a nutshell, they were getting half my royalties for doing something I could have done myself - publishing my book using a self-publishing website - so I thought I'd give it a try.

To be honest, I'd rather have a real contract with a reliable and recognised publishing house - something I'm still hoping for - but in the meantime, being an indie author gives me complete control over every aspect of my books.

Writing is an escape into another world. That world may not be far removed from the real one, but it's a new and different space to explore. I enjoy learning more about the people of that world, too - finding out who they are, and why they act as they do.
I'm still a little shy about sharing my writing, so it's always a thrill to receive positive feedback, but I also welcome the negative comments. I value constructive criticism, because it helps me improve and develop my writing.
I love engaging with readers, which is why I have a Twitter account and a Facebook page, as well as a blog. I'm always keen to learn what they love/hate about my books, and what they'd like to read next :)

I feel a bit pretentious, calling my readers 'fans', but they mean the world to me. They enjoy reading my books, they offer their views on what they've read and tell me what they liked or didn't like, and they suggest ideas for future books. They keep me going, especially when I start to doubt myself.

Books four and five are my current works-in-progess. I'm working on them simultaneously, but not on a regular basis: I work full-time and study part-time, so writing has had to take a back seat. New ideas for both books are frequently popping into my head, so they're both slowly but surely taking shape :)

William Shakespeare - not an author per se, but I love his plays and adore his use of language

Audrey Niffenegger - a wonderfully stylish story-teller

Terry Pratchett - a master at creating memorable characters and intricately described new worlds

I'm singling out these three for specific reasons, but there are few authors whose work I haven't enjoyed or appreciated.

As well as day-to-day commitments to my family and friends ...

I work full-time for a national children's charity. I'm very passionate about the work we do, and I often find it hard to switch off at the end of the day, but I wouldn't want to work anywhere else.

I study part-time - I'm a student with The Open University, working towards a BA in English Literature. I enjoy it, but it takes up a lot of my spare time.

I manage a Twitter account, Facebook page, and blog, all of which (hopefully!) bring me in touch with readers, and help promote my books.

I also enjoy reading, photography, and watching TV (but only if it has David Tennant in it, or it's 'Doctor Who'), and walking on the beach

Yes. After I'd won the Creative Writing prizes in primary school, I embarked upon an illustrated story about a group of orphans who were travelling across Europe in search of somewhere to live. There were ten of them, all from different families and backgrounds, and they wanted to stay together but no-one would take them all as a group. They finally found an abandoned schloss on a cliff-top in Austria, and that's where I left them - by that time, I'd moved on to writing 'Bonanza' fan-fiction!

I'm not a professional writer, so I don't have a fixed routine or indeed a recognisable process. I simply write what comes into my head, whether it's a story plan, part of a plan, a snippet of dialogue, or a section of the story. Rewriting and editing are part of the process, but it's an organic and instinctive process rather than a set pattern. I hope this makes sense!

It wasn't the first story I ever read - the 'Dick and Dora' books at school would have introduced me to reading - but 'Heidi' was definitely one of the earliest books I chose to read for myself, and it was a favourite throughout my childhood. I wonder if that's why my orphans ended up in Austria!

I loved the Ladybird series as a child, and remember them fondly, along with the 'Famous Five' and Secret Seven' books by Enid Blyton.

I've loved reading, and books, all my life - they're part of my love for words, and language, and writing - and I honestly believe that every book has some kind of impact on the reader.