Having reached the finalist stage last year, I'm excited to enter this year's awards with my new YA fantasy. The prequel to last year's entry, it's intended as the first of three and has an environmental theme which is something that's close to my heart. As an ex-teacher, I now have time to write on a daily basis and my output has increased from one book over several years, to a first draft in less than one year. I am as yet to be published therefore my focus is to improve my creative style, build on what I've learned from courses, feedback and reading, and gain as much advice as possible. Writing is now my main focus and as my daughter also writes for a living we hope to embark on a joint venture later this year.
