1. Why do you write novels?

I have always enjoyed reading above most others things. Since early childhood I have never been happier than with a book, I just simply adore books. Two people can read the same story and from the description both still imagine slightly different worlds, that’s what I love about reading, the simple escapism.

I never thought I would actually achieve my dream of writing books, because as life does, it took me down another path. I certainly never had aspirations to create children’s books, but after a few years of failed attempts of other writing, I would stop, start and then wonder what on earth I had been thinking in the first place, it would obviously all need to be changed, hence it never got finished.

After having my twin boys, I started thinking about the books I really loved as a child and what I would like to read to them. Inevitably I was then surrounded daily with children’s books etc and I started to create stories for them myself. I found out rather quickly that I really enjoyed doing it and others seemed to enjoy them too (including my children) when I am busy writing a new story I feel as if I have found my place, if others think I have or not it is certainly my happy place.

I am still very new to this wonderful world of storytelling but I honestly couldn’t be happier.

2. Who inspired you?

There are so many fantastic authors out there, I really enjoy reading Julia Donaldson, Roald Dahl, Lewis Carol and J.K. Rowling, but it’s also really inspiring to find other new authors especially self-published ones, it’s not an easy journey to make and sometimes often judged rather harshly. I would recommend books by Zandile (Mnguni) Nyström. However, I am still inspired by books that I enjoy reading too, without them being children’s authors. I love Marian Keyes and Catherine Alliott, their books make me laugh out loud and are so easy to read, but I also love a good thriller like Karin Slaughter.

Most recently I have found myself more drawn to poetry again, perhaps it’s the whimsical feel that reminds me of fantasy and childhood who knows, but my favourite at the moment would be Amanda Gorman.

My biggest inspiration really comes from my husband’s encouragement, he is always in my corner, being my cheerleader or my critic, he can wear many hats.

3. What’s the essence of your style? The part, if removed, is not your voice anymore?

The rhyming and the playing around of words in sentences to switch their proper place. There is a correct place for them of course and for grammar but not always necessary for the imagination and the creative flow of a story, in my humble opinion, sometimes to switch words around and to make a sentence more fun can give it that extra bit of light and magic. Imagine if we all spoke as correctly as we should to each other, how would that really sound? Wouldn’t life be a bit more boring.

4. What was your dance-around-the-kitchen moment in writing?

There were two significant and very different moments for me. The first being told by my husband that what I had done he thought was really good and worth completing properly and after many, many changes and realisations of finding my style, having something I thought was good myself and being excited to share it rather than be embarrassed about it.

The second was finding a book store that actually wanted to stock my book and fairly quickly having them place another order, that felt very good.

5. What do you want to accomplish in your writing career?

I want to continue writing and creating books that make me and my children smile and laugh. I would truly love to inspire even just one child to write something or just to read, having enjoyed one of my stories.

6. Can you ever envisage not writing novels - running out of ideas or energy?

No, I can’t actually imagine it, I am always thinking oh that would make a great story, that would be funny, oh I should do something like this next time etc to the point where I now have about four stories on the go that need to each be finished, in varying stages.

7. What advice would you give to your younger self?

Why not you? Who gets to decide that? You do! However, trust that what you are doing will lead you to where you want to go and will only add to your experience.

8. Away from writing, what are your passions, and what do they mean to you?

I am fortunate enough to live in beautiful Cape Town, where I try to get out on the mountain trails as often as I can each week. It’s truly stunning, like a favourite book that you always go back to, you can stand on the same trails and see the same views but take something different away with you each time, it’s so good for the soul.

I love cooking, it’s something that my husband and I are passionate about and really enjoy together. Anything creative really, I love having a go at most things and when you’re not good at them it makes you appreciate how hard others have worked to do that, or how talented they are. Other than that, spending time with my boys of course and the company of good friends

9. How would your best friend describe you?

Probably as someone who doesn’t take life too seriously, I love to laugh, because life is too short isn’t it? However, I will always be there for those I care about. I’m sure they will also say it’s a 50/50 chance, to me smiling at the camera in the right place, or pulling the wrong face at the wrong time haha

10. What’s a significant question to ask you, that no other interview has to date, and what’s the answer, only for New2theScene?

Hmm how about, if you could choose to visit or be a character in a story for a day, who would you choose and why?

I think I would choose to visit Winne the Pooh, one of my all-time favourites as a child, he has adventures with friends and stays loyal throughout, but he still finds time to enjoy his honey! Perhaps a bit too much, but much like me haha.