Rita Wilkinson

Born in Dundee in 1943 I always had a desire to write a novel but never thought I would have the capability to do so. It wasn't until around 2011 after I wrote a personal book for my two daughters about my childhood up to the age of 15 that I finally got the bug.

Three feet of Lightning was my first novel which I never dreamed would ever get published. I sent if off to Hayloft Publishing who accepted my manuscript straightaway and the publishing process began. Finally in June 2013 it was available in paperback. At the tender age of 69 this was quite some achievement for me. Whilst I was under contract with my publisher i began writing my second novel Kitty's Torment.

Kitty's Torment like Three feet of Lightning is staged between the North East of England and Cumbria. (Cumberland as it is in the novels due to the period of the stories). Both are family orientated stories with farming involved but are very different.

Three feet of Lightning was written from a family experience with my daughters collie. Although the main body of the story is pure fiction the incident involving the dog is taken from that experience. Kitty's story however does not relate to anyone in the family and is purely fiction.

This time I have self published Kitty's Torment and it was released in print in December 2016. At the even more tender age of 73 I am delighted with my achievements gained so late in life and intend to continue writing for as along as possible.

I am currently writing a short children's story which I hope to have published in a few months.