I have always been a writer - from writing poetry at the age of five to be published on the children's pages of the local newspaper, to thumping out an advenure story on a plastic "Petite" typewriter at seven. Then later as a twelve year old writing profound thoughts in my school note book, usually in a Maths lesson when I was supposed to be doing other things. Over the rest of my growing up years, it was all there in my head, waiting perhaps for the appropriate moment to be revealed. The opportunity for my thoughts to be revealed and to be read by others even, came when I went to University as a mature student to study and become a teacher. Part of the course was Creative Writing and I became hooked immediately to having an opinion on everything, an imaginative idea of the character of every person I met (often correct) and a compulsion to write about anything. Poetry became something that was composed while standing at the sink washing up or walking the dogs in the countryside. Fiction about every day people and ordinary things fought to get themselves written. Every news item became an opportunity for more thoughts to be released. I revelled in the chance to talk with the children I taught about putting down thoughts and feelings in their own way. Unfortunately, the prescriptiveness of the curriculum left little opportunity for original ideas, creativity or personal style. I continued with my own writing, and whilst believing that not all writing needs to be read by others and can be a catharsis in itself, most writing needs a reader other than the author. I have various pieces published in Times Educational Supplement and short stories in magazines, plus numerous work online. I have a book "Crossing Borders" published, the sequel is on the go and as any writer should have, a novel in progress.   My inspiration,when it comes, is from people and life in general. I enjoy writing topical pieces on news and contraversial issues which are on my blog and am always ready for a debate - just name the subject ! I also write poetry and am compiling an anthology.   I welcome comments on my work and sharing it with others and am happy to comment on others work if they wish. By doing this I believe we can inspire each other to even better writing.