About me
I have nearly 20 years’ experience, with an English degree, a CIM Diploma in Marketing Communications, and Accredited PR Practitioner status with the CIPR. I have worked across well-known publishing, education, and charity organisations, and businesses having a positive impact.
My roles have included News & Features Writer, Senior Communications Executive, Senior Press & PR Officer, and I was the Head of Marketing Communications, before becoming freelance over five years ago. Find out more about my career.
I’m obsessed with how language influences what we think
In a nutshell
Sure, I’ll have a little nose around your soul …
For the love of dogs
I love dogs. My rescue dog Higgins (I’d never say owner: he’s my dog and I’m his human) is next to me while I’m writing: in one his many comfy beds, listening to his dog chill-out tunes playlist, with an essential oil (French lavender) diffuser bubbling away! He sleeps on the job a lot, but is a crucial team member.
He was diagnosed with elbow dysplasia and osteoarthritis age five – I was told it was progressive and there was no cure, and off you go. Luckily, we both have terrier tenacity. I researched everything, found specialists, joined groups, changed vets (shout out Medivet Impington, who we love), and continue to learn about it to this day – he’s 10 now, and a happy little bean, defying all the odds. He has the medical team of an olympic athlete (this is where my money goes, so thank you on behalf of Higgins, if you hire me). Canine Arthritis Management (CAM) is amazing for info, if you know a dog that needs it.
I love all animals. Always have. Always will.
The squiggly, loop-the-loop, scenic route of life.
Born in Brighton, and started school in sunny San Jose, California. A few years later, we moved back, to a village in Cambridgeshire (where, at that time, having an American accent was like coming from the moon, and my sister and I were so excited to see rain that we danced in it).
I was very close to my Scottish gran. We were on the beach, swimming in the North Sea, way before cold-water swimming was cool (thermos of hot squash at the ready, in July).
I left home at 17, in the middle of my A-levels, and still got them all.
I went travelling around Australia on my own, age 19, before mobile phones and Google (let alone social media) were a thing. There was the odd internet cafe — I sent two emails in 5 months (shout out to @hotmail.com), and had a few rolls of film to develop when I got back. Different times.
I always loved writing, but I never thought it could be a career. I went to university age 22 (seemed old at the time), worked two jobs alongside, and got my BA (Hons) in English. It changed my life.
Learning more is always the way, and the chance for that is everywhere. A learner for life.
Always curious. Always learning. Always willing (as if there’s a choice) to embrace the squiggly path.
Words have saved me over and over again. If I can return the favour by sharing a few, I’ll be happy.
Learner for life
“There are probably more insightful ideas here than I’ve ever seen in a single undergraduate essay. Here is a voice that has something to say.”
— written on one of my uni essays. I kept it and I remembered it. A few words can mean a lot.
✰ I love stand-up comedy (very much watching, not performing). What’s not to love about laughing, and it’s also an incredible art form for storytelling.
✰ I love reading (obvs). And I find it pretty much impossible to go on a dog walk, drive anywhere, or do the washing-up, without listening to a podcast, or recently an audiobook (reading with my ears, as Joanne McNally would say).
✰ Auntie, and honorary auntie, to the best human beans. I especially love story time with them, their creativity without even thinking about it, and their questions (often total curveballs).
Stories
Did you know? Some bees don't follow the others: rogue bees are vital for finding new paths and pollen true fact
