My novel "Harvest of Rue' was born following the discovery that my mother had been adopted but never knew she was. When I attempted to discover her records I was astonished to find there were none. She had been born before the legislation that required them. What followed was more revelation about how adoption in Britain worked (or rather didn't) in that pre-regulation era. It is certainly not the story of the Magadalen Laundries of Irish notoriety but it is an extraordinary one nonetheless. During that fascinating inter-war period many savage things took place, often against a background of genteel tea-drinking. There were, after all, many threats to the Empire and the status quo at the time and the decent thing had to be seen to be done. Middle-class morals were fundamental and essential and much needed to be swept under the carpet.I found that, particularly when describing the mother and baby home, I worked with a strange intensity. It was only later that I found out that my mother had indeed been born in a home remarkably similar to the one I describe. The book comes from a very personal place but touches on the lives and beliefs of many at the time.
Born in London, I have spent the greater part of my life in Sussex. I have worked n publishing and corporate communications in diverse arenas ranging from a tiny 'family' company to a national charitable think tank to a multi national accountancy/management consultancy firm. A trained and qualified copywriter, I have currently suspended my business while studying for an MA in Creative Writing at the University of Chichester. So far I have had a short story shortlisted for the Wells Festival prize.
