'Writing is giving words life and life words'.

I don't know who wrote that but I'm grateful to whoever did because it sums up exactly how I feel about writing.

I have been writing in one form or another for as long as I can remember. I loved writing as a child and have always felt that it somehow helped me make sense of the world. Writing calms me, stimulates me and occasionally frustrates the heck out of me, but I could never imagine not doing it.

A few years back, after working as a journalist for 30 years, I began writing fiction. Now, as well as writing about the real world, I can create other worlds, which I can populate with all sorts of quirky people doing whatever I make them do. Such power!

I write mostly for children of all ages and everything from picture books to junior novels. I have written extensively for the education market in New Zealand and the US and my books and stories are used in classrooms all over the world. Some have been broadcast on the radio.

Most days you will find me at my computer – giving words life and life words. Welcome to my world!