Author of:  Bringing Up Brits

Tell Us A Bit About Yourself... I was born in Seoul, Korea, adopted as a baby and grew up in America. My background is in English, Art and Design. I graduated from University in 1994 with a BA in English and Art and then completed my Masters in Design Studies at Nottingham Trent University in 1999. In between that time, I lived and worked in Prague, where I met my English husband, then lived in Tokyo where we worked and travelled together. I have 3 children, all born in Britain and I run my own design business as well as being a manager for the Mumprenerus Networking Club. I currently live in Worthing, West Sussex with my family. Bringing Up Brits is my first book.

What Is Your Book About? Bringing Up Brits is about my own experience as a non-British mother raising 3 half American, half English children in Britain. It is the story of my life in England. This book is also about other parents from lots of different countries who are doing what I am doing - raising children in a country different to the one they grew up in. In this book, I discuss issues such as culture differences, customs and traditions, identity, British systems and language barriers. In addition, this book offers a fascinatingand valuable insight into British culture from several different perspectives.

Who Is It Aimed At? This book is for parents from other cultures who are raising children in Britain. It is also for family and friends who are touched by this. In addition, it is aimed at parents who are re-locating to Britain with a young family, for teachers, employers and family members who are in close contact with non-British parents. I think British readers will also find this book useful as it really is about them as well.

What Inspired You To Write It? My life here with my choldren, who are growing up too quickly and also my relationship with them and my English husband.

What Would You Like Your Readers To Get From Your Book? For non-British readers, I hope they can relate to this book, use it as a companion and as a source of comfort in the knowledge that they are not alone. I also hope they find it helpful and informative. For British readers, I think it's an insight into what it's like being a foreigner in Britain and I hope they find it inspiring and useful.

When Did You First Realise That You Wanted To Write This Book? After having my second child. By then I was self-employed and although I was used to living in England, I was still confused by some things, very lonely and wondered if other non-British parents were in the same or a similar situation. I thought there should be a book about that.

What Gave You The Push To Get Published? The main push was whilst I was on maternity leave with my third child. I was just getting involved with the Mumpreneur scene and meeting very inspirational women in business. I was very happy with my design company but felt I wanted to do something different in addition to it.

Did You Have Any Difficulty In Getting Published? I did try some of the large mainstream publishers and at one point I even tried to get an agent (af few of my design clients are authors and they told me it was impossible to get published without an agent). I found Live It through Joyce Campbell - one of the Live It authors and also a design client of mine.

What Hurdles Did You Face Whilst Writing & How Did You Overcome Them? Running a full-time business with three yound children AND finding the time to write! I had my laptop with me at all times around the house so that when an idea popped into my head, I could jot it down there and then. I also utilised the time I spent waiting for children at school gates and during swimming lessons - I used modern technology in every way possible!

How Did It Feel Seeing Your Book In Real Life For The first Time? Soooo exciting! I danced around the kitchen swinging my 2 year old around, embarrassing my older children with my awful singing. Then I caled down and drank a bottle of bubbly and cried tears of happiness with my husband.

Do You Have Any Tips For Our Budding Authors? Keep at it. There will be times of self-doubt but stay positive! It's the good stuff you'll remember.

What's Next For You? I have an idea for another book so I will pursue that and in the meantime I'll keep working and enjoying life.