Kia ora,

I'm a middle-aged married woman living in rural New Zealand, and I'm a self-taught writer. Growing up in an abusive family and leaving school at a young age posed challenges, but my love for storytelling persisted. Through crosswords and dictionaries, I taught myself the basics of writing. About ten years ago, I graduated with a diploma in Freelance Journalism, which helped me understand sentence structure and storytelling.

For several years, I worked from home as a correspondent for a frontline war photographer in Syria, exploring various non-fiction genres. However, my true passion lies in fiction writing. My dream is to write a captivating novel that absorbs readers completely.

Joining the New Zealand Society of Writers is a step toward nurturing my potential. Despite the challenges of my past, I'm determined to create something beautiful and leave a lasting legacy. Currently, I'm working on a series of 20 children's stories set on a magical farm with Nanny and Koro humans, featuring a cast of endearing animal characters. Originally envisioned as a collection of bedtime stories for adults to read to children, feedback from teacher friends suggested each story could stand alone as a beautiful picture book for families to enjoy affordably.

I'm keeping my options open and hope to eventually publish the entire series as a comprehensive collection. I'm also honing my illustration skills using Midjourney. Writing in this genre is a new and joyful challenge for me, and I'm thrilled to be on this creative journey. Below is a back cover blurb that introduces my series:

Dive into a world of imagination and discovery with these enchanting tales, perfect for adults to read aloud to children aged 3 to 8. Each story is a captivating journey that not only fosters a love for reading but also celebrates the beauty of diversity. From courageous goats to adventurous pups, join unforgettable characters as they embark on heartwarming adventures that teach valuable lessons about friendship, bravery, and the power of embracing our differences. These stories are more than just bedtime tales—they're opportunities to grow vocabulary, inspire young minds, and create lasting bonds between reader and listener. Get ready to embark on a magical journey where every page brings a new adventure and a chance to learn, laugh, and love together.

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