How long have you been writing?
Since I was a child. My love of writing prompted me to take up periodical journalism as a career, and I now work in government – where there’s often a need for clear and unambiguous writing.
What are you currently writing?
I have a couple of short stories that I need to finish.
What influences and inspires your writing?
My childhood in Fiji.
What are your ambitions for your writing?
I’d like to write a novel, although I think that will have to wait until life is less hectic.
What is your preferred place and time to write?
I grew up writing by hand but now prefer to write on the computer. An undisturbed day at home, where my thoughts can flow freely, is the most productive setting – provided my cats don’t start demanding attention!
Who are your favourite authors?
I was introduced to Jean Rhys’ writing as a student and ‘Wide Sargasso Sea’ made quite an impression on me. I spend less time reading now that I once did, and as a consequence some of the books I read are less high brow! But one book I enjoyed a lot recently was ‘Mister Loverman’ by Bernardine Everisto, which we all read as part of Elthamread18. A very different book, but one I found quite compelling, was ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ by Margaret Atwood. I saw the original film some years ago, before the TV series came to our screens, but read the book only recently.