My history of using reading as an escape began when I was a child. As the third eldest of seven children I found delving into the adventures of a Hobbit named Bilbo Baggins, and following four children through a wardrobe into a magical land called Narnia, to be the perfect way to free my mind from mundane things like cleaning up my room and doing homework. The opportunities presented by hour long journeys on the school bus were also put to good use. Many mystical beasts were defeated and mysteries solved as my imagination took flight and transported me to other worlds.

In my teenage years the lure of romance beckoned. Georgette Heyer, Betty Neels, Jane Austen. I rapidly worked my way through all their books. Amid the dragons, trolls, elves, and flying horses now appeared the handsome nobleman, doctor, soldier, detective to aid me in my battles.

Creative writing at school was a joy, not a chore. I would frequently write more than the requested amount – once handing in a thirty page story instead of the expected eight! Thankfully, I had a wonderful teacher who complimented me on my “mammoth effort” and awarded me with a high mark!

I began writing fanfiction during my early working career as a conveyancing clerk in a law firm. Desperate for more stories about Harry Potter, my younger siblings looked to me to fill the void when JK Rowling was busy writing her last couple of books.

From writing stories for Harry Potter to Buffy the Vampire Slayer to the Japanese manga Saiyuki, I worked on improving my writing until I came to the challenge of JRR Tolkien’s Middle-earth.

All these fan tributes to the creation of other authors can be found at the website Archive of Our Own using the following link to my account Elvenqueen Sarah: ElvenqueenSarah | Archive of Our Own

The idea for my own original story Rhiannon McBride and the Dragon’s Cup came when I was, of all things, walking to the post office during work. A small willy-willy sprang up in front of me and I instantly wondered what would happen if someone got caught in one and was transported to another world. It would take several years for me to develop the plot and all the characters, but I finally in 2018 completed the first draft of my story, the first book in a fantasy trilogy.
I only hope that through my writing I can help many others escape, if only briefly, from the cares and troubles of reality. When I open a novel it’s like stepping through a portal into another world. I become immersed in the story, sharing the characters’ joys and sorrows. Their adventures become my own. I will be truly happy if readers of my stories will find themselves in a similar state of mind.

When not typing furiously at the keyboard or scribbling madly on a piece of paper, I frequently can be found reading manga, historical romance, and fantasy. I also love to indulge my love of music by singing opera with a bit of musical theatre thrown in. Occasionally, you might also find me dressing up in costume for a concert or Shakespeare Party, like in this photo of myself and one of my brothers. He was playing Bottom to my Titania, Queen of the Fairies during an impromptu act of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.