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 At the moment I am reading …Now, discover your strengths by Marcus Buckingham and Donald Clifton
Which writers do you admire, and why?
Having attended a writing workshop last year, I now admire anyone who writes fiction as it is so unbelievably complicated to do. As a reader, dialogue is incredibly important and poor dialogue can ruin a reading experience for me so I admire those – seemingly few – writers who can use dialogue well. The late Robert B. Parker is one example.
Although non-fiction is a less complex genre in terms of voice and narrative, it can be somewhat turgid and didactic. I admire writers who can present complex ideas accessibly and gracefully and I am a sucker for anyone who can make me laugh. Martha Beck is an obvious example of a writer I admire from that perspective. Antony Altbeker is another writer I admire for his ability to amuse while covering complicated and sometimes difficult themes.
What, or who, inspired you to write this book?
A number of people in my life encouraged me to turn the materials I had developed for my coaching clients into a book. I didn’t pay too much attention to most of them as I thought they were biased because they love me. But when Martha Beck suggested it I started taking the idea more seriously because, while she too loves me, she also knows a thing or two about books.
But, mostly, my clients inspired me to write it as I was wanted to be able to refer them to an easily available and accessible book which would help them to understand themselves better, and provide a reference for them between and after their coaching sessions. I wanted to provide a book that combined information with tools for transformation.
My earliest memory ....
Is of being carried on the back of Annie, my childminder and second mother. I can still feel and hear the comforting beat of her heart against my own chest.
What would you say is the most challenging part of writing?
The second and third drafts. Reworking what I have already said is a challenge for me as I veer between extreme boredom with seeing the same thing again and again, and a horror that I said it so badly the last time.
What was the most enjoyable aspect of writing this book?
Discovering that I do enjoy writing. I used to experience huge anxiety when writing assignments, dissertations and articles and being able to write to my own timetable, on my own topics and areas of interest was quite delightful and I realised that I do actually enjoy it. I love being able to make sense of what I see, hear and learn, and present it in a new and (hopefully) useful format.
My favourite guilty pleasure …
Eating chocolate and reading a gripping book in the bath
Is writing your full-time employment? If not, what is your ‘day job’?
No. I am a life coach. When I am not writing I am coaching individuals or groups and learning more about people and what makes them tick – which is research for my writing.
Which super-human power would you most like to have?
Teleportation. I would love to be able to take myself to other parts of the word instantly and without having to go on aeroplanes for hours, or experience jet lag.
What was your favourite book as a child?
Just one! I would have to choose The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton as a small child and then Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte from 11.
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