I was born in 1982 and caught severe graphomania at an early age. I have always loved words and the craft of putting them together, of imagining a reader and trying to communicate efficiently, engagingly, with them. It felt silly to dream of a career as a writer, though. I didn’t know any writers and felt certain it wasn’t something a person could make a living from. Besides, one has to have something to write about. I chose to study for a PhD in History, it was my second favourite subject after literature, and seemed more serious, more scholarly. On discovering there was such a thing as the history of medicine, I felt sure that was where I was meant to specialise, as it allowed me to combine my interest in the practice of science, history of the emotions, relations of power and even narrative. Having proved to myself that I could indeed attain the highest academic degree, I longed for more freedom to explore new areas. Spin A Yarn came about after much encouragement from those closest to me, and is by far the best company I’ve ever worked for.
My family consists of a handsome Danish husband and three delightful kids. I love Shakespeare, shortbread, folklore, everything Arts and Crafts and old rock music. In my dreams I can tell a story like Hilary Mantel, Roy Porter or Terry Pratchett. I almost always work from home, at my granddad’s old desk with a candle lit and the sound of rain in my headphones. When I get stuck, I hang a load of washing or go dig a hole in the garden. Writing is my favourite thing, and even when it’s not it beats all other jobs.