I've been writing on and off since my teens: one story in particular has been a constant companion since 1985. Moving to Canada in 2007 gave me a chance to get back to it and I finally finished the book in 2009,  publishing it as The Roman and the Runaway. 

One of my major influences as a writer has been Diana Wynne Jones: I wanted to write similarly accessible, entertaining fiction (although mine isn't fantasy). I'm also a huge fan of Kate Atkinson's work.