NAME:
Val Tyler

PLACE & DATE OF BIRTH:
Surrey 24.09.52

FAVOURITE BOOK:
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

FAVOURITE SONG:
‘Is this news?’ by Blind Pilot

FAVOURITE FILM:
Brassed Off

MOST TREASURED POSSESSION:
My photo albums

When did you start writing?
I started writing at school without much success. When I grew up, time was limited and although I always had a story buzzing round my head, it was hard to find the time to put it down on paper. In 1999 I fell ill. I was in a wheel chair and for more than a year I could not do much more than sleep. As I became stronger, so I returned to writing. To begin with I could manage no more than twenty minutes a day. Now I am a full time writer and no longer have to cram it in between my day job and family. It’s great!

Where do you get your ideas and inspiration from?
I get ideas from everything around me. Inspiration is everywhere! Each day I walk my dog, Teg, and that is when many of my ideas are born. I talk them out loud and must look totally mad! Teg is very understanding.

Can you give your top 3 tips to becoming a successful author
1 Don’t listen to anyone who says you are not good enough. What do they know?

2 Write about things that interest you.

3 Keep on editing until it is right.

Favourite memory
In the winter of 1991 it snowed and the whole town shut down for five days. The world became a wonderland. Footsteps were muffled by the snow, traffic went at a crawl and everyone had time for fun. Each day my family and I played in the snow. When we returned home we shared hot drinks and steaming, buttered crumpets in front of the fire.

Favourite place in the world and why?
Home, because that is where my family is.

What are your hobbies?
I spend most of my free time making crafts. Stained glass, pottery and patchwork are my favourites. I am a big sports fan, especially football, tennis and rugby. I love the theatre. I walk my dog daily. Every night I look forward to curling up in bed with a hot drink and a good book.

If you hadn’t been a writer what do you think you would have been?
Being a full time writer is the best job in the world, but if I had to be something else, I would very much enjoy being a stage director.