I survived twenty five years in advertising without being fired (no mean feat) and began training as a psychotherapist. Having got within touching distance of qualification I decided the time wasn't right and pressed the pause button. Maybe I'll go back to it.

I found myself footloose at 57. Then, as they say in the indigestion adverts, a friend recommended Slough Writers. And since I found the skittle alley I've not looked back.

Having not written since I was 16 I'm having a go at everything: short stories, plays, poetry, even a novel.

SUCCESSES

'Unfinished business' Shortlisted for the 2008 Bristol Prize and published in their anthology.

'Lt. James Arbuthnot Mogg' Joint winner with Tony Matthews of the SW Poetry Competition 2008

'Losing on time' Winner of Writers' News short story competition July 2008

INTERESTS

Reading pretty much everything; Military history; Spaghetti westerns; Watching black and white movies in the afternoon; Playing board games; Quizzes; Fulham FC.

EXPERTISE

Market research: Advertising; Psychotherapy