I am a writer, teacher and maker.

I have been publishing poetry, short fiction, essays, articles and reviews for over 20 years, but I have been making stuff up in words since before I learned to write. I write compulsively because it’s what I feel I am meant to be doing.

I have also worked in education for most of my adult life, across a wide range of ages, from relief teaching in early childhood centres and volunteering at Playcentre, to working with all ages of school children, to teaching in tertiary institutions. While I have mostly worked as a science teacher, I have taught people how to do a wide range of things, from facilitating sand play to inverting on a pole, to writing poetry, to identifying edible weeds. Both my parents, one of my grandparents, and a number of my ancestors have also worked as teachers. I also feel that teaching is a huge part of who I am and I hope to be involved in education for the rest of my life.

I make things because I am not very good at sitting still. I am kinaesthetic and like doing things that are hands-on.

Definitely not the stereotypical misanthropic writer in a garret, I love to be around other people. I enjoy creative collaborations and believe creativity is a communal and collective phenomenon rather than a competitive or individualist pursuit.

My academic background is in science (Ecology and biodiversity), and creative writing. I also have a teaching diploma. For many years I saw my CV as a bit of a mess and my lack of a single focus as something embarrassing. I now see it as a gift. I hope I can help others to find a balance in their lives, and to connect with creativity, nature and our authentic selves.

I was raised as a Quaker with strong influences from both Christianity and neo-pagan earth-based spirituality. My beloved nana, who was of Scottish and Irish heritage, believed in fairies and nature spirits and had a wild garden where they could live undisturbed. I am a practising green witch and feel very connected to nature and the earth.