After being a photographer/photographic artist for thirty years, I swapped careers and became a writer. This still takes me by surprise. If you’d have told me in April 2013 that I’d become a writer, I’d have laughed you out of the room.
In early May that year, I exhibited a couple of etched mythical creatures at the Open Studios North Fife event. While chatting to visitors I told them a few silly stories I’d made up about the creatures while etching them. Several people told me I should make these into a book, but I replied that I couldn’t write. You have to be good at English to write!
Three days later I woke up with the opening line in my head and spent the whole morning panicking. Then, I settled down to learn grammar and start writing my first book.
In March 2018 I self-published Folkland Fables, featuring pictures and stories of the mythical creatures who live in my local woods.
A lot of my inspiration comes from my local area (the beautiful Howe of Fife) and I put a lot of symbolism into my work. While some of this is personal, reflecting my own experiences, most is universally recognisable.
