The Journey of a Chronicler
Behind the Pen
My Road to Writing
I have always been drawn to the mysteries history leaves behind.
My fascination with the Anglo-Saxons began when I was a child. Unlike periods of history where so much seems to be known, the so-called Dark Ages felt distant, mysterious and full of unanswered questions. I was fascinated by this unfamiliar world and by a society moving from pagan beliefs towards Christianity.
Many years later, that fascination led me to Cookham Abbey. I became involved with the Friends of Cookham Abbey and am now one of its Trustees. I work closely with the project, particularly on community engagement and marketing, and have the privilege of sharing the discoveries being made there with children, families and visitors.
I never intended to write a children’s book.
The story began as an attempt to make the history and archaeology of Cookham Abbey accessible to people beyond the academic community. Everything changed when I began imagining this world through the eyes of a young Anglo-Saxon girl living beside the Thames — Silver Serpent. Suddenly, the characters began to appear and the story took on a life of its own.
Why I Write
“Because history is far too interesting to leave in the history books.”
For me, history isn’t simply about dates, battles and kings. It’s about real people, what made them laugh, what frightened them, who they loved and the difficult choices they faced.
I write to fill the spaces that history leaves behind. By mixing real discoveries with imagination, I can invite young readers into the past and ask: What might it really have felt like to be there?
And if a few ghosts, talking eels and mysterious happenings appear along the way… all the better.
A Few Things You Might Not Know About Me…
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I collect rubber ducks
And not just ordinary ones. My collection includes Romans, Ancient Egyptians, Vikings, Shakespeare and even David Bowie. An Anglo-Saxon duck is still on my wanted list.
I’m fascinated by birds of prey
Living near the Thames has given me plenty of opportunities to watch them. That fascination helped inspire Professor Westwind, the kestrel in Silver Serpent.
I love a good ghost story
One of my favourites is M. R. James - A Warning to the Curious. Perhaps it’s no surprise that ghosts eventually found their way into my own story.
I enjoy asking difficult questions
I love philosophy and thinking about questions such as what makes us human, what is good and evil, and how we decide what is right. Don't expect me to have all the answers!
I spend time at a real Anglo-Saxon archaeological dig
As a Trustee of the Friends of Cookham Abbey, I get to see archaeology uncover extraordinary clues about people who lived there more than 1,000 years ago.
I never planned to become a children’s author
Silver Serpent started as something completely different. Then a mysterious girl appeared in my imagination, started talking to eels… and rather changed my plans.
Before writing books, I helped run a rather big bookshop
Before becoming an author, I was Managing Director of Waterstones. So I spent years surrounded by other people’s books before finally writing one of my own!