Hi and welcome!

I’m Jo, a writer and yoga teacher. I live in England, having recently returned after nearly six years living in New Zealand. I’m a mum of three grown children and married to my Kiwi husband who I met in Hong Kong.

For years, I’ve tiptoed around the world of words and storytelling - I think I was nine when my mum sent off some of my stories to a publisher - not surprisingly, they didn’t get accepted. Over the years, I’ve continued to scribble stories and ideas in notebooks. I’ve also ghostwritten blog posts, edited and proofread non-fiction manuscripts, helped entrepreneurs complete their first drafts, and published a handful of articles.

Now that my children have finished school and are pursuing their own dreams and goals, I’m ready to focus on mine.

If I'm not writing I'm probably reading, on my yoga mat, at a bookshop, or enjoying a walk. Using Yoga to support my writing life is something I'm passionate about. Yoga has helped me physically, mentally, and creatively. Sharing what has helped me with other writers, wherever they are on their journey, is a joy and privilege. I really believe that if we want to Write Well we also have to Live Well.

I look forward to sharing my writing progress and favourite yoga tools with you.

Jo x

 

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT ME?

Here are 11 quick facts to help us get to know each other better…

  • I’m English and have lived in seven different countries (so far) - England, Germany, Cyprus, Hong Kong, Scotland, Fiji, New Zealand - and far too many houses to count!

  • I have a diploma in Creative Writing & Children’s Literature and certificates in Journalism and Shakespeare

  • I recently did a writing course with NZWC and was awarded one of the highest marks ever given

  • I am also a qualified Yoga Instructor (Hatha, Restorative, Yin, Postnatal, Mum & Baby, Meditation), Baby Massage Instructor, and Story Massage Instructor

  • I was once the singer Enya’s hand double in a music video and was an Angel in a white rubber dress in a Terrorvision Video!

  • I have chronic headaches which can make life challenging and also have a bunch of food allergies - thankfully not chocolate

  • Five of my favourite authors are Philippa Gregory, Belinda Alexandra, Katie Fforde, Santa Montefiore and Julia Quinn

  • My favourite books growing up were The Black Cauldron series by Lloyd Alexander, The Famous Five, and The Bogwoppit (my more recent favourites are Harry Potter, The Cry of The Icemark series, and the Young James Bond books by Charlie Higgson)

  • If I’m at a party, you’ll find me nosing around the host’s bookshelf or on the floor cuddling their dog or cat

  • I think bookshops and libraries are the greatest places on earth

  • I also love Autumn, Christmas, the smell of rain, cosy socks, oversized jumpers, welly walks, hot chocolate, and books, books, and more books!