I first noticed there was something wrong with my eyesight when I was seventeen. The bottom right quadrant of my vision was completely blurred and I was unable to see my armpit. I was soon diagnosed with uveitis and given treatment.

I went on to train as a physiotherapist, but not long after qualifying, the eye problem flared up again, this time with a bunch of other symptoms. The eye problem was identified as being caused by my autoimmune system (likely a condition called sarcoidosis) and has required treatment and medical reviews ever since.

It was after about seven years and a change of medication that I realised I wouldn’t be able to continue as a physiotherapist if I wanted to preserve my future health. Steroids were having a negative effect on my bone density and I knew with the heavy manual handling I had to do it would eventually lead to potential problems. Also, the immunosuppressants I was on meant I was catching every illness going.

So if I couldn’t do the job that I loved, where did that leave me?

I decided to follow the job of my dreams! I’d always wanted to be an author and had been writing stories since my teens.

I don’t really have the CV credentials for becoming an author, but it was my dream to do so.

It was a career that I’d never thought possible. I had fairly severe dyslexia as a child, but after specialist input, I improved significantly. I passed my English Language and Literature exams with Cs at GCSE. I don’t really have the CV credentials for becoming an author, but it was my dream to do so.

I started to pursue it with a passion and after having twins, nothing was going to stop me! I did as much as I could within my means to learn what I needed to know and was supported by the Katie Fforde bursary that I won while on the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s New Writers’ Scheme.

I found an answer to an interview about receiving the honour of that bursary just ahead of writing this. Here’s the question and my response:

“What are your literary aspirations?
 
Gosh, I guess, ultimately to earn a living from writing in whatever form that may be. The big dream is to be able to go into Waterstones (or any other good book store) and pick up a copy of my own book. I would love to be able to dedicate something to my twin daughters and for them to have something that is part of me, even when I’m gone.”

This book, The Day He Disappeared, sees the completion of those aspirations. I dedicated my debut to both of my daughters, but they wanted a dedication each, so this book and The Day I Lost Her each has an individual dedication. It’s something I hope to do many times over and I can’t believe how blessed I am to see my twelfth novel published.

I would love to be able to dedicate something to my twin daughters and for them to have something that is part of me, even when I’m gone.

Any of my readers will know that my novels contain themes of overcoming adversity and circumstances that are often beyond our control. If you’ve never read any of my Bookouture novels, I hope you find some hope and possibly wisdom amongst the pages.