My mother used to say - Don't deny yourself the pleasure of writing. The talent is in your genes. As one of her ancestors was related in some way to Sir Walter Scott, she always hoped that the ability to write was inherited by at least one of her children. She was thrilled that I didn't disappoint and lived to see at least ten of my books published. As a child and young adult I was surrounded by books, music and stimulating conversation, provided by a wonderfully eccentric father, a down-to-earth, supportive mother and an Italian grandmother whose favourite past-times were to quote Shakespe more...
