​I have always enjoyed creative writing since school and enjoyed creating a fanzine for a friend’s band in my late teenage years. I had often thought about writing a book, but I lacked the confidence and had difficulty in finding a subject.  However, it was right under my nose.  I was surprised, amazed, or sometimes just entertained by what I experienced on an almost daily basis in my shop.

 

 

A few years ago, I decided to present some of the humorous interactions I had with my customers as individual tales which I wrote up on Facebook, so I created a page dedicated to it.  I had a great many followers, and a lot of them regularly said they enjoyed my stories. It was suggested to me that I should create a book of these tales, but maybe as a novel.  With this in mind, I wrote The `Not So' Secret Diary of a Pawnbroker' and created the character of Pete Dawson and his family and colleagues. I decided that a diary format would best serve my style and set about writing my first book.  Although the protagonist and his exploits are purely fictional, most of the incidents with the customers are real, although a little artistic license has been applied in some cases. I followed this up with two more novels which were also loosely (very loosely) inspired by true events. I turned my attention to writing short wryly-comedic sinister short stories, and I released 17 of them in a book, 'The Crimson Scarf and Other Stories.'

​

My next projects were a bit of a diversion for me.  In 2021, I was bitten by the poetry bug, and subsequently, I have released three books of poetry on themes of nostalgia and modern-day observations.  I never thought I'd do that!

​

Now, I am back writing novels again, so look out for my next one in early 2023, entitled, 'Ultravox vs. the Ottoman Empire.'

​

Towards the end of 2022, I began adapting some of my short stories into short screenplays, which I entered into several international film festivals.  I am happy to say that I am now a multi-award-winning screenwriter!  That makes me feel rather big-headed. However, no studio or producer has yet taken up an option on any of my scripts, so that brings me back down to earth with a bump.  However, we shall see what the future holds for me.

​

My interests outside writing include history, travel (I particularly love Las Vegas and have been many times), sport, although more in a sedentary way rather than a participant, music, and quizzing.  I am a member of a pub quiz team and regularly enjoy spending my evenings with friends socialising and putting my grey matter to the test.  I have started writing and chairing my own quizzes too. I also enjoy just staying at home with my family.