About me
I've been writing and illustrating stories since my kids were small. Back then, tools were pretty primitive - and a temperamental second-hand printer meant that the stories weren't very pretty; but they didn't seem to mind!
30-something years on, I run a marketing and web design business, as well as supporting people to start their own businesses - predominantly mature women who have finally taken the jump to pursue their passions. I love what I do, but writing and painting are two things I always return to. It had crossed my mind often, that this was a passion that I should be pursuing, but, well ... life ...:D
Then, recently, my older granddaughter picked out a book for bedtime. It was 'Twinkle' - a book I had written some time ago. I can't tell you how special it was to hear her tell the story. So my brain said 'more of that, please'. And here we are:)
30-something years on, I run a marketing and web design business, as well as supporting people to start their own businesses - predominantly mature women who have finally taken the jump to pursue their passions. I love what I do, but writing and painting are two things I always return to. It had crossed my mind often, that this was a passion that I should be pursuing, but, well ... life ...:D
Then, recently, my older granddaughter picked out a book for bedtime. It was 'Twinkle' - a book I had written some time ago. I can't tell you how special it was to hear her tell the story. So my brain said 'more of that, please'. And here we are:)
Inspiration for the stories
Whilst some of the stories are inspired by old texts and folklore, most of them actually came from wandering the island.
During Covid, with islanders unable to leave unless we had very good reason, I started exploring what was on my doorstep. I found so many hidden pockets of natural beauty, history, and nature that I would otherwise never have discovered.
From watching the sheep at Glecknabae wander down the road back to their barn at sunset, to pretending with little ones that the bird hide at Ettrick Bay is actually a pirate's hideout ('checking for pirates' first, as I hide chocolate coins inside) ... there's a genuine appreciation for the magic of this island in each one.
I hope these stories will inspire others to roam the places that Goose, Scrunch and their Mimi discover and find a little Bute magic of their own.
During Covid, with islanders unable to leave unless we had very good reason, I started exploring what was on my doorstep. I found so many hidden pockets of natural beauty, history, and nature that I would otherwise never have discovered.
From watching the sheep at Glecknabae wander down the road back to their barn at sunset, to pretending with little ones that the bird hide at Ettrick Bay is actually a pirate's hideout ('checking for pirates' first, as I hide chocolate coins inside) ... there's a genuine appreciation for the magic of this island in each one.
I hope these stories will inspire others to roam the places that Goose, Scrunch and their Mimi discover and find a little Bute magic of their own.
Goose and Scrunch
Goose and Scrunch live on the mainland with their mum, dad, and cat. The exciting trip on the ferry and beach-on-your-doostep thing is still a novelty for now:) Long may it last!
As the girls are still very little, I've made them a teeny bit older in my books ... otherwise the stories would be filled with toddler babble, tantrums and demands for chocolate 
However, their characters are already shining through, and their little quirks guide how the stories unfold.