How did it all begin?
I first started writing poetry in 2016 just after my eldest daughter, Jasmine, was born. These poems weren’t exactly what I would call a work of art. They were just about everyday life. I wrote them as a way of processing and expressing the tidal wave of emotions I felt as a new mum.
It wasn’t until a few months later that I realised what I had actually been creating – a truly personal and unique way to remember all the small things about my daughter. All the things I would otherwise have forgotten thanks to the fog of motherhood. It was this realisation that actually gave me the inspiration for the name “Rhymes To Remember” later on.
It was quite some time before I finally had the courage to share these poems with my friends and family. However, I was overwhelmed by the praise and encouragement I received when I finally did. People began to ask if I could write bespoke poems for their loved ones. And so Rhymes To Remember was born.
A passion for writing
I now have a real passion for writing and I truly believe my words can make a difference. I’m not talking of solving world peace or global warming. But I hope to make a difference to the lives of individuals.
I want to help people feel loved, supported, encouraged, valued or understood. I put into words what others struggle to say to make sure that a bride and groom share vows on their wedding day that are perfect just for them; that a new mum hears she is doing great; that a teacher or colleague knows they are appreciated; and that a family member or friend is told how special and loved they are. Never underestimate the power of words!
What makes my poems special?
I don’t pretend to have a degree in English literature or to be an expert in the works of great poets. But what I do have is life experience. I’ve experienced love, loss, joy, sadness, elation and loneliness. It is these experiences that make me a great writer. It is these experiences that enable me to write poetry that really touches the heart.
I draw upon these emotions with every poem I write and always keep the recipient or audience in mind, particularly when writing a bespoke poem. I imagine the feelings they will experience when reading or hearing the poem for the first time. This is what makes my poems truly unique.
A little more about me
Aside from my work with Rhymes To Remember, I am also a published author. Inspired by the books I was reading to Jasmine, I turned my hand to writing and illustrating children’s rhyming stories in 2017. The first of these, A New View of the Zoo was created after a visit to Berlin zoo. After much encouragement from friends and family, I self-published this book and it is now available to buy through most online book retailers.
I have since gone on to write and publish two more children’s stories. I wrote and illustrated Harry’s First Holiday following a trip to Dubrovnik with friends. The Potogold And The Broken Rainbow was written in collaboration with Georgie M. Beadman and illustrated by The Sibling Group at The Rainbows Hospice For Children And Young People. All proceeds from this book are donated to the hospice.
In 2019, I made the decision to publish all of the poems I wrote as a new mum. These now form the book No Dummy For Mummy: From Poppy Seed To Parrot. It took me a while to muster the courage to publish this book, as some of the poems were written at my most vulnerable moments. However, I was motivated by my belief that my words have the potential to help other parents.
The response I received from “No Dummy For Mummy” encouraged me to do more with my writing for the good of others. So, in 2020/21 I co-wrote a book with Georgie M. Beadman and Eleanor F. Brogan documenting the journey we all went on during Georgie’s recovery from anorexia. The book is titled ED Versus Me: A Journey Of Recovery From An Eating Disorder and all proceeds from books sales are donated to SEED.
