I was born a typical Sagittarian (November 22 to December 21) 1941 - the middle of the second world war.

Although not from a privileged background, my sisters and I passed the eleven plus exam and were able to attend a local grammar school. I left school, along with my twin sister, when I was fifteen and a half - it seemed there was no good reason to stay on at school for another term just to reach our sixteenth birthday.

Coming from a working class family I wanted to earn some money, and with four O-levels, I had the choice of working in an office, shop or factory. I chose office work. I acquired a job within days - no chance of having a year off travelling as students do today - and in the September signed up to attend two evenings a week at a class to learn how to touch-type. I loved it. (I eventually achieved RSA Stage III typewriting. Later I added shorthand to my interests and managed RSA 120 wpm and Pitman 130 wpm.) I married in 1962 and am still married to the same wonderful man.

When I was about 27 years old I decided to have a complete change and studied and worked for a year as a student nurse. I never completed my training, but I strongly believe that nothing is wasted in this world and what I learned over that year has been of great help to me and my family.

Our adopted daughter overwhelmingly enriched our lives in 1973. Like many married couples we have moved house several times over the years. When our daughter was about five years old I decided I would like to run a shop and we bought a small general shop and off licence in Surrey. Although a successful enterprize it was extremely hard work. A year or so later we sold up and moved again. Over the next few years I studied by correspondence courses and evening classes to qualify as a lecturer in Further Education teaching Information Technology, Business Studies, Shorthand and Typewriting. For a short period of time I also checked and edited the shorthand for Pitman Memo magazine - long since disappeared.

I also studied and gained a Degree with the Open University, which led to an enjoyable few years teaching in Barnsole Road Primary School, Gillingham, Kent (my infant and primary school as a child).

When my husband retired we had the privilege of living in France for three years, where, in the peace and tranquility of the Limousin countryside, I was able to complete my first novel, 'A Twist of Fate'. The original title was 'Lizards in the Sun', and I regret changing it. Although we miss our French friends we now reside in the equally beautiful countryside of Somerset.

It seems my life has been made up of writing, and therefore it was a natural progression to consider writing a novel - if others could do it so could I. I was encouraged by my daughter, who surpasses me in intellect and literary prowess, and I had guidance from a tutor on a Writers' News correspondence course. You can see how I managed to publish my novel by clicking here or by selecting the relevant option on the side menu.