I’m a Geordie lass, born and bred. My two main passions in life (apart
from husband and family, of course) are writing and archery. That doesn’t
mean that my career as a teacher and Headteacher for South Tyneside Education
Authority wasn’t challenging and satisfying. It most certainly was. But,
now that I have left teaching, I have so much more time to write and shoot and
finally get my website up and running.
Writing has always been a big part of my life since I was a child. It is something
I do and will continue to do for ever (I hope.) It amuses me that my most recent
books, “The Spur on the Plate”
and “The Powder Monkey,”
are children’s historical fiction. It’s not surprising that I write
for children since most of my life has been spent in their company. But, HISTORY?
Now that does surprise me because when I was at school, I hated the subject
and must have been a real disappointment to my teachers. But all that's changed
and now, I love everything historical and always enjoy doing research for my
books. Researching “The Spur on
the Plate,” was a particular joy, for it took me to my favourite place,
SCOTLAND.
“The Powder Monkey”
was written while I was still teaching and it was good to see it being read
and discussed in schools, particularly my own school, Bede Burn Primary, in
Jarrow. I was inspired to write it after visiting the Royal Quays at Hartlepool
Marina. A great day out.
I have been in archery for a very long time but have only recently taken up
longbow and am having more fun than I’ve had for years. Archery is a family
thing. My husband Stan, my son, Steven and his wife Andrea and my grand-daughter
Jessica and my stepson Kenneth all shoot. (Jessica, although only thirteen,
out-classes us all and will one day be a famous name, believe me.) My club is
Cleadon
Archers.
© Maureen Rylance. All rights reserved.