Why I Write...

I write because I love entering a world through language and discovering who lives there.

There is something quietly magical in following characters as they begin to speak, revealing themselves line by line, and allowing story to unfold with both intention and surprise. Writing is not only my craft, but one of my deepest joys.

I also love the research that storytelling invites. I can lose myself for hours — sometimes days! — uncovering details, histories and hidden connections that give a story greater depth and truth. I am especially drawn to voices that have been overlooked, erased or pushed to the margins, and much of my work is shaped by a desire to bring those stories back into the light.

I care deeply about women’s history, queer narratives, and emotionally rich, character-driven storytelling. As a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I am passionate about creating work that offers the kind of depth, visibility and resonance many readers and audiences have longed to see.

I am inspired by writers such as Madeline Miller, Pat Barker, Jennifer Saint and Natalie Haynes, whose work re-examines ancient stories through fresh and powerful perspectives.

My shelves are also filled with ancient texts, classical literature, and the worlds of Ben Kane, Jodi Taylor, and Shakespearean adaptations by David Hewitt, A J Hartley and Howard Jacobson — writers whose work reminds me of the many ways story can entertain, challenge and endure.