I was born in Chicago , Illinois in the United States . My parents were both deaf. Though they couldn't hear, they could speak and lip read. When someone rang our doorbell a light flashed so they would know!

I also had a younger brother and a dog called Geets.

Me, 6 years old on my trike!

I started writing when I was seven. I still have some of my early stories. One was about Seymour, an eagle who was afraid of flying. Another had a superhero a lot like Superman, with X ray vision and the ability to fly.

When I was 11, my class put on Charles Dickens' play "A Christmas Carol." My best friend and I both competed for the part of Scrooge. No one could decide who was best. The day before the play was put on, the class voted. It was a tie. The teacher cast the deciding vote for my friend. We decided our next play would have two main parts. So we wrote one with big parts for both of us! We decided we might as well direct it too...

My first writing success

Our teacher was ill a lot that term and every time we had a new supply teacher we told her we had to practice our play. So we spent most of the term rehearsing, which was great fun. We typed the play up and two years later we sold it.

At the University of Michigan , I studied psychology but I also did as many creative writing classes as I could. I wrote several plays and won prizes in my third and fourth years.

After I finished university, I moved to London . I've lived here ever since. I trained as a psychotherapist and now work with individuals and couples. (A psychotherapist helps people solve problems and enjoy themselves more.) I've also continued writing. Boobela is my first success since I won prizes at university.

I now live in north London with my wife, daughter, Bengal cat and golden retriever. I divide my time between writing and working as a psychotherapist.

My dog and cat, best friends