What's your name and where do you come from? (Said in Cilla Black voice)
I was born there in 1976 which makes me 31 - which I'm still very much coming to terms with. I have two sisters and one brother. Despite there being four of us, I suffer from middle child syndrome.
I married an English man and made him move here - I love Derry and all her people.
Do you have a day job?
Indeed I do. I work as a reporter for the Derry Journal. I've worked there since 1999 and I really enjoy that I get to meet lots of people. share their stories and actually get paid to write for a living!
Five years ago I started writing a weekly column called 'Skirting the Issue' which made me the first female columnist in the history of the paper. I was very proud of that!
And when you are not working?
Apart from writing the majority of my time is spent with my son Joseph who is 3 and a half and like most boys of his age requires constant watching and occasional journeys to the naughty step.
He makes my life complete, but we didn't have the easiest start. If you read about Grace's post natal depression in Rainy Days and Tuesdays that pretty much mirrors my experience with Joseph - those feelings of not being good enough for him. Thankfully when he was six months old I got help and now I'm the ultimate baby bore.
So when do you find the time to write?
Evenings are sacred. I put the wee man to bed and switch on the laptop. I aim for two hours a night, sometimes it is more, sometimes it is less. I find it addictive and I get very excited about finding out what happens next to my characters.
Are your books autobiographical?
No - although as I said Grace's feelings about her post natal depression would mirror my own. Sadly though I've not got my bling back like Grace and can be seen wandering around Tesco on Sunday with no make up and greasy roots.
My second book, 'Blue Line Blues' deals with both an unplanned pregnancy and infertility, which I've not experienced. Although people were willing to open up to me about their experiences which was vital in making the book work.
Ooooh, so you've written two books?
Yes, Rainy Days and Tuesdays and Feels Like Maybe. I'm working on a third at the moment, which has a working title of Jumping in Puddles.
When did you start writing?
In primary one! (Sarky? Moi? yep!). I've been writing creatively for as long as I can remember. Before I had the wherewithal to write the stories I would make picture books. At secondary school I took part in creative writing classes run by fellow Poolbeg author Anne Dunlop which were brilliant. At university I wrote a lot of REALLY bad poetry and then I kind of let my writing slide a little as journalism tookover.
However I challenged myself to write a book for my 30th birthday and low and behold, Rainy Days and Tuesdays was born.
Was it easy to get a book deal?
It wasn't easy, but I didn't have a really hard time either. When my book was finished I sent it out to Ger Nichol of the Book Bureau who agreed to represent me. She then worked like a demon submitting to publishers and I was delighted when Poolbeg came back with a four book deal!
I have read Poolbeg books all my adult life. It really was a life's ambition to get a deal with them. It has been hard work, and it's more complicated that you might think but it is well worth it.
What advice would you give to writers?
Write what makes you proud. Find your own voice. Don't try to be the new Marian Keyes or JK Rowling - it will show. The best stories are told with honesty.
Set targets, perhaps 500 words a night. Always leave your writing mid scene or when you know what will happen next so that when you sit down you have a clear starting point.
Don't submit unfinished manuscripts!You will only frustrate publishers when they think you are brilliant but you don't have a finished product to go on their schedule.
But most of all, have fun with it. Published or not, writing a book is an amazing achievement.
That wasn't too painful, was it?
Not a bit. Thank you!