Bryony Allen

Where to begin? I have always enjoyed writing, ever since I was a child and can't remember a time where I haven't wanted a book in my hand. I did a degree in English and Drama at Roehampton University and gained a 2:1 honours. I was then successfully offered a job for the East Anglian Daily Times in Ipswich as a junior reporter but reluctantly had to turn the offer down due to personal circumstances. Instead, I ended up doing a PGCE at the Cambridge University Homerton College and then embarked out in a new direction and a career in teaching. If the situation had been different,I'd have been in print much quicker!

I actually started writing my debut novel, "Mystery, Deceit and a School Inspector" back in 2001, then it got put on a back burner as domestic life and work took over. I got my inspiration for it from work, and my school had also just undergone an Ofsted inspection. I just started thinking, "What would happen if..." and it went on from there. Obviously none of the characters are real people! I just took some of the more obvious character traits of people I know or knew, whether at work, socially or just by reputation, then blew them up to bigger proportions. When I come up with an idea, I try to visualise it as if it is happening on a screen. Then I write down what I see and feel, as well as what I want other people to see and feel. Usually, I try to picture characters in a certain setting and think about how they would react.
Mystery, Deceit and a School Inspector got published by UK independent publisher Pneuma Springs in 2006 and made available globally. This gave me the springboard to do much more of what I really love doing, writing! (with plenty of reading thrown in for good measure of course!). I now mainly write to appeal to the darker side of the teenage mind.

My second work OTOLI for the Young Adult genre was published in April 2011 by Pneuma Springs and the book has been received well internationally. It continues to receive super reviews from its readers. Writing wise I've written further stories for the Young Adult genre and these are now going through the inevitable redrafts and polishing. Watch this space, as the saying goes.

On a personal level I read excessively, all sorts of novels by different authors; my favourites are Ian Rankin, Ruth Rendell and Daphne du Maurier. With Ian Rankin, I love the Scottish background and the plots, and I think Ruth Rendell's way of pulling you into the book is fascinating. As for Daphne du Maurier, her style of writing just speaks for itself. Either way, they are all great role models. That said I'm always finding new authors to read.
Best Regards, Bryony