I am a freelance writer with an MA in creative writing.
In 2006 I self-published a children's book called Unwanted Gift: The Trilogy, and In 2013, I published a book of poetry called Poems on the Page.
My hobbies include baking and drawing, and I am also an arctophile, Harry Potter fan, and love rabbits and guinea pigs.
My favourite shows are Star Trek, The X-Files, and Stargate, and I am a fan of Golden Age animation such as The Flintstones and Looney Tunes.
Gene Roddenberry's 'Star Trek' is meant to be a utopic vision of the future, but is technology a help or hinderance to that vision?
How is The Image of The Maternal Figure Portrayed in Children’s Literature?
Mothers are an important part of growing up, yet so often in literature, children are exposed to a distorted image of them. This essay looks at the portrayal of the maternal figure.
The Neverland and Wonderland are both extraordinary worlds that can only be visited in childhood. Both are exciting, wonderous places to visit, but they are not without their dangers. In some ways these worlds are prisons, and escaping them presents the entrance to adulthood.
Is Gender a Social Construction?
A look at films that tackle the issue of transgender in an attempt to show that gender is not biological, but something created by society.
Bette Davis was an iconographic movie star with a fiery personality. She might be famous, she was at constant debate with the Hollywood Star System.
A quick guide to looking after your guinea pigs.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is famous for his short stories based on the character of 'Sherlock Holmes'. But how does his detective fiction fit into 19th century Britain?
'A Midsummer Night's Dream' is one of Shakespeare's finest comedic plays. Love goes awry for two couples when the mischevious fairy, Oberon gets involved.
Writing in the voice of one of Queen Matilda's servants, I have given an account of her time at Arundel Castle.
What Are The Biblical And Church Teachings About Abortion?
Most Christians believe that abortions should not be carried out. They believe this because they feel it is interfering with God’s affairs, and that we are committing murder, which breaks one of the Ten Commandments. They think we are trying to play God by taking away a life.
Plato believes strongly in the idea of life after death and that our souls live on in another world.
Should we base ethics on religion?
The Stoics believed in living on the bare necessities, while the Epicureans were hedonists.
Utilitarianism is an ethical theory based in the principle that in any moral situation, you should act in a way that will provide the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. It is the most widely used ethical theory today.
Virtue Ethics has been around for a long time. It is the contrast of the two major ethical theories, which are Absolutism and Utilitarianism. Unlike most ethical theories, Virtue Ethics does not concentrate on the actions of people and what they should do, but who they are and who they should be.
Moral absolutists believe that there are principles that must be held true for all situations whoever the person may be, where as relativists believe that you cannot hold one principle as a universal maxim that everyone in a given situation must withstand.
Technological advancement seems to be a blessing and a curse due the moral issues it raises. Though genetic research could hold the solution to finding a cure to diseases or help infertile couples conceive there is much debate to whether it is morally acceptable or not.
Plato's theory of Forms state that the physical world is not real. Reality comes from knowledge and knowledge comes from with in. What we see in front of us is merely an imperfect depiction of the truth.
How Would Relative Morality Be Applied to Euthanasia?
How Would Natural Law Apply to Embryo Research?
Natural Law is a philosophy that uses reason to analyse human nature, and works on the basis that we should abide by the laws of nature. So how does this apply to embryo research?
Crash and Cortex working together. When I first heard that, there was nothing going to stop me from getting the game, but somehow I found it somewhat disappointing.
Although they are not the protagonists of Shakespeare's 'King Lear', Goneril and Regan are my favourite characters. They are sisters, but there is no love loss between them. All they are interested in is power.
From adverts to news readers, different accents are used in the media to get the desired response from their audience.
To What Extent Does the Archaeological Evidence Tell us About Mithraism?
To what extent do Mycenaean tombs inform us of the burial practices, religious beliefs and the way of life of the people?
In his 2009 film, JJ Abrams boldly goes where many directors have goes before: the prequel. With sword fights, orbital skydiving, and epic space battles, Star Trek XI is full of action, but lacks the spirit that Gene Roddenberry imbued in his original series.
In this children's short story, one girl proves she is just as capable as anyone, despite being in a wheel chair.
A flash fiction time travel story, experienced through a mans stream of consciousness.
'The Road' by Cormac Mccarthy: What Are We Capable of When Pushed to the Edge?
Is Cormac McCarthy's 'The Road' an unflinching meditation on the worst and best of which we are capable?
Every night Vanessa woke up screaming in a soaked bed of sweat and excrement. Totally drenched, the nuns would strip her down and plunge her into a freezing cold bath. Afterwards, she’d be taken into isolation and left with nothing more than a raggedy old blanket and a stuffed teddy named Oliver.
Every day from nine till five, I sit at my desk facing the door of the office and type up people's dreams. Dreams that will ultimately fail.
My Grandma died in 2007, and although she is gone, and I miss her very much, she will never be forgotten.
Ever seen sin dance, or wear pyjamas? Read as the Deadly sins take on a life of their own.
'To The Dead' is a poem by Frank Bidart. It's disjointed style is unusual for an elegy, but very effective.
Homemade bread is so much more satisfying than the bread you buy at the supermarket. Here are some tips on how to make the best loaf possible.
Anastasia King moves back to Dublin to live wither her grandmother, but finds no warm welcome. A tragic, but understated novella, 'The Visitor' reflects much of author, Maeve Brennan's, own depression.
Raymond's Carver's bleak portrayal of married life provide a gripping narrative that will you laugh, cry, and leave you in shock.
Only fans of Hemmingway will find his memoir of any interest.
Raymond Chandler's 'The Big Sleep' is best known as a classic film noir, but how does the book hold up?
A sweet and buttery pecan pie to make your mouth water.
The fourth film in the 'Ice Age' series is a must see for animated film fans. Far better than the last two sequels, you won't be disappointed.
What is the best way of increasing your chances of getting an agent?
A delicious batch of walnut brownies to delight family and friends.
An analysis of Michael Downing's dance film, 'Cornered'.
An analysis of the short dance film 'Boy'.
A step-by-step look at the scenes of The Lion King, identifying whether or not it follows the traditional formula for film stories.
A quick look at the mis-en-scene in Disney's 'Enchanted' that gives homage to previous films.
In this article, I discuss the significance behind the animals that represent the four houses in Hogwarts in the "Harry Potter" series.