I love mini versions of anything: kitchen utensils, soft toys, stationary... oh, and panda bears!

 

I also love tidying and staying organised, so I am most definitely a planner as opposed to a pantser when it comes to writing.  The mummy in me says ‘Tidy house, tidy mind,’ but the writer in me says, 'Tidy desk, tidy draft.’  Who am I kidding!  A draft is NEVER tidy!

 

When beginning a new writing project, I always write my outline on paper, with a pencil - yep, not the laptop!  No, I am not a fine artist masquerading as a writer.  It is because I am a visual learner.  I am also distracted by visual chaos, so I rub things out all the time, hence the pencil!

 

I am challenged with GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) and OCD, which I use to my advantage.  My anxiety makes me empathetic, cautious, thoughtful, and resilient, and my OCD makes me focused, resourceful, thorough, and consistent.

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As a thinking introvert, I might be intimidated by the public-facing, self-promoting role of a writer, but this just makes me more proud of myself whenever I step out of my comfort zone - which is often!  Introversion ensures I stay genuine, compassionate, observant, and creative which only aids my writing.

 

Combine all my quirky personality traits together and you have one professional, tenacious children's book writer!

 

And if you are still reading, I once accidentally stole a neighbour’s cat.  My son likes to remind me of this regularly.  Sorry, Cat.