Charlotte Ryton

"Put that book away and..." go outside and play tennis, or do your homework, or go to sleep. How many times did teachers and relations say that to me. And reluctantly this story addict put the book aside - only to slide out again as soon as possible. My torch batteries soon ran out as I read under the bedclothes. Jo of the Chalet School, Pigeon Post, Wish for a Pony, Charlotte's Web, Eagle of the Ninth, Ballet Shoes. I was lucky that my parents were as book obsessed as I was. They read aloud to me before I could read and continued when I had mastered simple books by reading books that were just a bit beyond my ability to read myself. Not just fiction but biographies, travel books, history.

I did go outside to play but not tennis or hockey but imaginary games. I too went to the Chalet School, I too sailed that Northern Lake, I too danced on the London stage and I too searched for treasure. I was in fact lucky enough to have a pony to ride and did indeed learn to sail but alas my real self was never as good as my fictional self. I was an enthusiastic Brownie, Guide and Ranger and that gave me opportunities to try many of the adventurous activities I had read about. Later on I became a Guide Leader and then ran a Cub Scout Pack.

I went to boarding school - well it was sometimes fun but it was school so never as attractive or as exciting as the Chalet School or Malory Towers. No tricks, no burglaries, no princesses in disguise, no midnight feasts.

Of course I wrote as well, fitting myself into my favourite stories. Charlotte at the Chalet School (I rescued Robin), Journey to the South Pole with Nancy Blackett and so on.

Then serious reading for study and exams took over and sadly I had to put some of my favourite stories aside for a little while but I found that I liked reading fact as much as fiction, especially history.

Then between school and University I worked for a couple of months as a domestic in a boarding school and I realised what I had subconsciously known, that there was a whole army of people that are seldom mentioned in the children's stories I loved - the domestic staff. Yes, of course, there are the faithful, loved Nannies, cooks and gardeners but what of the youngsters their own ages who scrubbed and washed up. One of my colleagues at that boarding school had been a maid at the age of fourteen and I thought it was about time that her story was in children's books. That was in the 1970s and since that time there have been several stories that explore being a child servant.

I went to University to study history and theology and my writing was rather more grown-up and as my parents were actors I wrote for the stage: Prague Spring, Daughters of Jerusalem, Katherine the Queen were all historical dramas that were performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and elsewhere.

For many years I taught English, History and Religious Studies - and even on occasion a little junior science. I wrote stories and plays for my pupils to help them understand what they were studying. In between teaching jobs I worked in other areas - for an educational publisher, for social services, and most of all in a bookshop near where I lived - The Open Book in Richmond - a great job as I met people as addicted to reading as I was and through them found all sorts of books I hadn't met before. My last job was as a church children and youth worker running clubs and activities. Again I wrote stories and plays for the children to hear and perform. That was when I wrote and had published Five Minute Parables.

Now I am able to concentrate on writing and I return to my first love of children's books and am keeping my resolve to write some from the servant's point of view. Rhiannon is a fourteen year old girl who wants to learn but due to lack of money she becomes a maid. Her situation is complicated by World War Two and - well read the books and find out.

When not writing I sing in a choir, run a Cub Scout pack, edit our church magazine and walk my dog, Alfie - I might write his adventures one day or perhaps rather the adventures he would like to have.