How long have you been writing?
I started writing as a child. I read a lot and I wrote a lot because television wasn’t allowed in our home until I was an adolescent. Books were encouraged and I remember trying to emulate them. My first novel was a mystery, hand written in an exercise book. I was eight and I can't remember what it was about. What I do remember, is the joy it brought my mother (possibly my only fan at that time). It fed my interest in entertaining others through writing.

What motivates you to write?
I don’t generally need a huge amount of motivation to write. I write because I write. I don't remember anytime in my life where the written word hasn’t played a part. It doesn’t matter whether it’s for publication or not. For me, reading and writing are tied together; reading feeds my writing. The more I read, the more I write.

In what genres do you write?
My favourite is the short story genre. Most of my short stories have been inspired by true events. I also write non-fiction, which I aim to make helpful and entertaining. I have written a number of scripts and plays. I edit a twice-yearly community magazine and contribute to local publications. The majority to my corporate work was around corporate writing in all its variations.

Where do you draw inspiration?
Observations, an overheard word, life experience, imagination, everyday things.

Do you use a particular process when writing?
I try to have regular writing routine. I don’t like the word discipline, because it’s developed an unpleasant connotation, like doing something against your will. Writing is never unpleasant; editing is. I hand writes three pages every morning. I write these using a fountain pen. I find that the writer’s tool: pens, paper, computers often produce different styles of writing. I try to vary it and just follow what comes as a result.

How did your workshops come about?
Accidently. I’ve been doing visual based planning for myself for more than fifteen years. I used to do the workshop for friends only, until one day, I was asked to do something for a writers’ festival.

What’s your next project?
I’m working on a novel and putting together a workbook for the workshops. Other works are listed on my website.