For many years I have been a surveyor and estimator in a number of roles, mainly solar energy and home heating systems. In the last several years I have been a residential and commercial flooring estimator engaged in design, measuring and arrangement for new flooring. As I approach possible retirement from work in a few years from now it became very important for me to get more engaged in a creative endeavor and so my journey as a writer began.

I have been practicing yoga for many years to keep a bit more supple. I enjoy the feeling of stretching, it is helpful in keeping your energy levels higher for longer. It’s a good thing, so I’ll keep on as long as I enjoy it. I believe regular yoga or pilates helps to keep your joints more open and supple as we get older. Keeping soft and supple means keeping more youthful which gives your body more fluid movement.

To be born with creative talents is always a blessing if you use them. I learned to play the guitar during my teen years as music came naturally to me and I was able to write songs and poems and so realized I had writing skills many years ago. In my younger days I never had the enthusiasm to write anything longer than a song. Now In the last few years the urge to write and express myself developed after I studied a story writing course. From this point onwards I was better able to structure thoughts and ideas about writing stories and concepts into a solid framework. I was more able to see whole stories in my mind and from here I started writing young readers fiction stories. Of course it helped being a father and having enjoyed reading to my own two boys as they grew up through their school years,

Cooking for friends is a fun thing I like to do with a new recipe to always surprise. Add a nice red wine and it all comes together, I also enjoy outdoor cooking and have experienced this a number of times when I went camping. To eat with the stars twinkling overhead, surrounded by nature, it’s just such a beautiful thing. I’ve always loved the exploration of nature in the natural environment and especially green spaces and forests. Maybe I was a forest dweller in a past life, I don’t know but I’m strongly drawn to woodland, trees and ponds and the magic I’ve always felt in this environment.

The experience of growing up close to nature and my love of forests and animals were my inspiration to write my first book. I always enjoyed writing but never in my earlier years was I ready to write a book. It’s only the accumulation of life experience that compelled me to write now at this time. The idea for this story came to me in a few moments of inspiration, the whole story seemed to download into my head and I could see the whole plot line pretty quickly. I was actually six chapters into the writing of another book when I realized this first story would be a shorter and more straightforward story to complete, so I circled back around to write ‘The Boy Who Turned Into A Butterfly’ story first.

It is of course a great joy and happiness to distribute an entertaining adventure story for both young readers and adults. I really had to focus while writing to always strive to keep the storyline fresh and lively. This way I wanted the book to be entertaining for adults and parents to read to their children. The book storyline is aimed at the 7 to 12 age group combining magic, time travel, flying and adventure, a pretty exciting mix of ingredients.