I'm 35 and I live in Exmouth, a lovely little town on the north west coast of Australia.

I'm a Scot from the Hebridean island of Islay and I'm married to an Aussie Craig. We've a daughter Eilidh who is nearly 3 and is the centre of our universe because she's wonderful. I've got an ever-expanding belly because baby No.2 is due in August.

I'm trained as a professional flute player and teacher which is what I did until I became a Mum. I now love playing my flute with some excellent musicians who live in Exmouth.

I'm combining full time motherhood with part time work and have turned to writing. My job is as Exmouth journalist for the Northern Guardian newspaper - I work at home writing the stories about my town for the regional paper. I am working through a correspondence writing course with The Writer's Bureau and hope to extend my writing to include other freelance work.

My passion is ...

my daughter, music, writing, scuba diving and living beside the ocean in the countryside

I know too much about ...

being the other side of the planet from my family

My parents always told me ...

when you are walking one of life's tight ropes, never look down

My childhood ambition ...

to play the flute

My favorite memory ...

my wedding day

Why I write ...

to build a new career that I love and can do at home while being a full-time mum

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

I've just down loaded "The Science of getting Rich" from the internet - I'll let you know if it works!

My first job ...

unpaid - helping my Dad milk cows/ paid - babysitting

My best moment ...

first cuddle with my precious daughter

My inspiration ...

my parents

Entertainment > Musical Instruments Tips for beginning to play the flute

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I am a professional flutist, and after 15 years of teaching the flute, here is my advice.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT INSTRUMENT
Learn to play the instrument that you really want to play, not what someone else thinks you should. So if you are learning the flute because that's what all your friends play, or there's one in the cupboard, or your Granny thinks it will make you look sweet, but really you desperately want to play the trombone, then the flute is not for you. This is crucial because your instrument becomes your second voice.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT TEACHER
Make sure your teacher is experienc...

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