At the age of 14 I decided I was going to be a writer of fiction. By age 18 that had morphed into television drama. But dreams are dreams and I actually apprenticed as a hand typographer to the Christchurch Star. I was always good at art and when technology killed my trade I went progressively into what became known as graphic design.

After stints in Melbourne and Christchurch a friend talked me into attending Canterbury University. Design went into storage (mostly) and I went full on into poetry, short stories and playwriting. The former led to a published collection, the latter to a prize. That in turn led to an invitation to become writer in residence at The Court Theatre.

A number of plays followed, almost all successful and several taken up by other New Zealand theatres and once in Covent Garden, London (not the opera!).

With marriage and babies came the needed a more secure income. Because I had the ability I set up as a graphic designer. Because that was successful I started employing others until I was running probably the largest design studio in the city. Because I had  writing skills I became in demand as a copywriter. That led to video scripts and because I knew many of the actors in town that then led to casting and directing the videos.

Writing carried on when time allowed leading to more plays and a mock-picaresque novel.

As my clients trickled then flowed to Auckland I turned to teaching, in both English and Drama. More plays followed . . . as did earthquakes and cover. 

As Christchurch was steadily rebuilding so was my writing. Almost a full circle, but now with oh-so-much more wisdom and experience.

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