Biography

Born in Bromley, Kent; 1962, into a family woven from father's Indian and mother's Cornish/East End heritage.
Eldest of four siblings.
Grew up by the sea on the Isle of Thanet, preferred imagination to reality, read books almost constantly, found real world illogical and school dull, ran away from home quite a bit.

Eventually left home and lived in many vibrant places with interesting people, got married had children then divorced, got involved in the free festival movement, became an activist (where red met green), anti-racist, feminist, peace-pledge-union lay-down-in-the-road protester.

Moved to Somerset, grew things in my garden, spent too much time with musicians, lived outdoors when I could, lived in Greece for a bit, worked as a dancer, sound engineer, printers assistant, community arts project worker, and various other but mundane jobs that kept the children fed and clothed and all whilst being a (mostly) single mother.

Studied performing arts and arts therapies, moved to Devon to be nearer trees, sea, and landscapes, got qualifications in business, training and counselling; did more community/youth/arts work, had another baby just when I had decided to get on with lifelong desire to write.

Had poems and short stories published, won competitions, met husband and now live happily ever after with family and a rescued Staffordshire Terrier; doing the things you can read about on this website: writing and performing poetry, fiction & drama, teaching poetry and creative writing in schools, adult education, and with youth and community groups; and walking the dog in wild places outdoors.

I hold a Diploma in Literature and Creative Writing, an adult education teaching qualification, and am currently finishing an Arts Humanities degree with the Open University.

P.S. I have left out any references to all the blood, sweat and tears.