Tell us a bit about your play
Alice Springs is about the pressures of relationships in the internet age. I’m fascinated by how much personal information people share on social media- I’m sometimes guilty of over-sharing too- and wanted to explore what happens when someone you hardly know knows way too much.
What is your day job?
I’ve always worked in education and am a freelance teacher trainer and consultant. I specialise in wellbeing issues like sex and relationship education and support deputy heads in leadership and management. I also write award-winning educational materials for clients including The Co-operative and John Lewis Partnership.
What you do love about writing?
I love creating my own little worlds and placing characters under pressure. It’s often a surprise when the characters respond in a way I hadn’t imagined! I tend to underwrite so enjoy polishing and adding little extras.
And for balance...what you hate about writing?
I like my sleep but find when I’m starting a new project I have so many ideas bouncing around in my head I don’t sleep well. Or I have weird dreams. I also suffer from crippling self-doubt but I guess all writers do.
What are you working on now?
I’ve just finished another short play and am researching a new longer project based around the Russian Revolution. I’ve also just finished writing and recording a song with vocalist Susie Goulding (you can listen to it here) I blog about freelance business and love writing guest blogs. Keeps me busy and out of mischief!
How do you relax?
I sing in a choir and we do a lot of gigs - so far this year I’ve sung on the pitch at Wembley Stadium, recorded at Abbey Road Studios and sung with Peter Andre on 60 Minute Makeover. I’m a real tv addict and love live music and theatre too. I like to grow things and bake things. Oh and tea-drinking. I collect vintage china and love a cup of Lady Grey
from a nice bit of china.
And the questions all writers get asked… where do you get your ideas?
I often struggle finding ideas but they usually come from little day to day occurrences and by asking what if?
What music are you listening to right now?
I’ve just booked tickets to see my favourite band Gogol Bordello in December. I’ve been a huge fan for ten years and always go to their London gigs which can get very messy! I’ve recently been listening to the laid back sounds of The Pierces and a bit of Northern Soul
always goes down well.
What are you reading?
I’ve just finished two big tomes about the Russian Revolution but recently enjoyed Jonathan Harvey’s The Who Appeared and J.B. Morrison’s The Extraordinary Life of Frank Derrick Aged 81.
Sum up your feelings towards the Bookends showcase in three words
Can’t. Bloody. Wait.
Alice Springs is about the pressures of relationships in the internet age. I’m fascinated by how much personal information people share on social media- I’m sometimes guilty of over-sharing too- and wanted to explore what happens when someone you hardly know knows way too much.
What is your day job?
I’ve always worked in education and am a freelance teacher trainer and consultant. I specialise in wellbeing issues like sex and relationship education and support deputy heads in leadership and management. I also write award-winning educational materials for clients including The Co-operative and John Lewis Partnership.
What you do love about writing?
I love creating my own little worlds and placing characters under pressure. It’s often a surprise when the characters respond in a way I hadn’t imagined! I tend to underwrite so enjoy polishing and adding little extras.
And for balance...what you hate about writing?
I like my sleep but find when I’m starting a new project I have so many ideas bouncing around in my head I don’t sleep well. Or I have weird dreams. I also suffer from crippling self-doubt but I guess all writers do.
What are you working on now?
I’ve just finished another short play and am researching a new longer project based around the Russian Revolution. I’ve also just finished writing and recording a song with vocalist Susie Goulding (you can listen to it here) I blog about freelance business and love writing guest blogs. Keeps me busy and out of mischief!
How do you relax?
I sing in a choir and we do a lot of gigs - so far this year I’ve sung on the pitch at Wembley Stadium, recorded at Abbey Road Studios and sung with Peter Andre on 60 Minute Makeover. I’m a real tv addict and love live music and theatre too. I like to grow things and bake things. Oh and tea-drinking. I collect vintage china and love a cup of Lady Grey
from a nice bit of china.
And the questions all writers get asked… where do you get your ideas?
I often struggle finding ideas but they usually come from little day to day occurrences and by asking what if?
What music are you listening to right now?
I’ve just booked tickets to see my favourite band Gogol Bordello in December. I’ve been a huge fan for ten years and always go to their London gigs which can get very messy! I’ve recently been listening to the laid back sounds of The Pierces and a bit of Northern Soul
always goes down well.
What are you reading?
I’ve just finished two big tomes about the Russian Revolution but recently enjoyed Jonathan Harvey’s The Who Appeared and J.B. Morrison’s The Extraordinary Life of Frank Derrick Aged 81.
Sum up your feelings towards the Bookends showcase in three words
Can’t. Bloody. Wait.