Writing is a curious thing. But if you are reading this, I guess you know that. I am learning more about writing by reading more good books. I am not sure it's helping. But it's a good way of using up time, especially when in the bath. I think my favourite book is Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath. Seriously. Recently I read and loved William Boyd's Any Human Heart. War and Peace is on my reading list this year. I am currently working on a sloppy romance novel which is harder to write than I would have imagined. Go figure. I once heard the saying, "If you think you can, or you think you cant, you're right." It stuck with me, and that is the reason I continue to write, even when I am writing rubbish that no one wants to read...because somewhere deep down is the idea that I can do this thing. And that doesnt mean writing- it means writing something that I am happy with. And although that is rare, it happens from time to time, and it makes the whole trip worth the ticket.

Elementary Firefighting Certificate, 1982.