I spent my early years in Lancashire, but from the age of three to nineteen lived in Berkshire and Oxfordshire. I only lived in Oxfordshire because the county boundaries changed! I currently live on the edge of the Cotswolds with my husband and cat.
I was educated at Cranford School in Moulsford, where my main interest was languages. I found school difficult because as a Lancashire girl with the ‘wrong’ accent I never fitted in and was very much a loner. I’m sure my sense of isolation contributed to my having a vivid imagination, which is indispensable to an author. Controlling the lives and actions of my characters gives me a wonderful feeling of power!
It is important to me that my books are true to life, so a lot of research goes into everything that I write; this is one of the reasons I choose to write about subjects and areas I know well. You could say that I write fantasy rooted in fact.
I always loved reading, thanks to my Mother, a voracious reader herself, who actively encouraged me to read. I am sad that she died before I started writing, so never had the opportunity to read anything I had written.
My first novel, Mixed Emotions, was written at the age of 58, when I was nudged (quite firmly) into action following a chance meeting with a professional book coach. The rest, as they say, is history. My husband Karl was delighted, as he frequently called me a story teller and said that I should write a book!
Much to Karl’s amazement, I can write anywhere – be it in my office, on a train or at the beach.
Away from writing, my main interests are the three Cs:
Cats, collecting and cars.
The current cat incumbent in the Abbott household is Teddy – a dilute ginger and white rescue boy, who is most affectionate. He was described as a “cuddle monster” at the rescue centre. My husband is Teddy’s favourite person in the whole world, because Teddy can get anything he wants from him.
I will collect almost anything, although my Derby porcelain has to come top of the list. I have many pieces, with some interesting Sampson Hancock, a pair of original Derby dwarfs and many modern paperweights. Karl and I are very fond of frogs and have a collection of antique stone ones adorning the garden. One of my pastimes is browsing antique shops, looking for another find.
Cars could have another C added, as I do love a convertible and haven’t owned a tin top for many a year. Classic could be added to the list of Cs as well as my husband is a Classic car enthusiast, which means I get involved too. He has a small collection of BMWs, amongst which are two rare Alpinas. We can often be found doing something with one or more cars at the weekends.
Continuing with the car theme, I am a great Formula 1 fan and used to be a motor racing marshal in my younger days – mainly at Silverstone and Thruxton. I am still an avid race watcher.
