When did this all start?

It's decades ago now, but I can clearly remember the first time I realised that my written observations of life granted me unexpected approval from an amused audience. As a double boost, that revelation also added a unique zing of credibility to my existence for the first time.

I was a quiet kid. No, correction: I was a largely invisible kid as I preferred to hide in the shadows, away from loud, noisy classroom dynamics and interpersonal playground dramas. 

That revelation was back in the final fifth year junior school assembly and I had been namechecked as the recipient of the esteemed headmaster's essay award. My prize was a chunky Chambers' Dictionary bound in red leather with white blocking accents and a further book token, both tempting inducements into the world of the written word.

Fast forward to the half-decent, but deathly-dull jobs over the years where I'd have to write reports that tried to bring flair to facts. It's tough, selling out on a skill. 

Much later, my drive to put words out into the world has not only survived, but pushed me to set up this site, alongside some small project zines which are in the pipeline.

Like those essay judges years ago, I hope you too will be amused.