Bio | piggy-and-woof

About Me

I’ve always loved books! When I was seven years old, I used to have to stay after school to tell my teacher (in minute detail) about the book I’d read the night before, because she was finding it hard to believe that I read a book a day! I loved those times – I think she must have enjoyed them, otherwise she must have needed a lot of convincing!

I have a degree in Drama and English and an MA in Dramatherapy. I started writing sketches and plays for Christian Theatre in 1991. When I was Manager of a therapeutic community and a dramatherapist, I wrote many papers and spoke at conferences. My first published works were actually papers in therapeutic community journals and two chapters in a book about therapeutic communities, published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers in 2,000.

I started writing children’s stories in 2014, after my husband joined the Army as a Padre (2013) and I became an Army Wife. Our daughter was only three when we moved to the Army quarters – that’s when I came to understand the impact of Army life on children and I was inspired to write my first series of books based on life for ‘Military Kids.’ After that, I wrote a Christmas and an Easter book and over twenty five short stories – all about The Adventures of Piggy and Woof.

I have continued to write for Christian Theatre throughout my life and in 2020 I started a new role as Performing Arts Mission Enabler for the Plymouth and Devonport Methodist Circuit. Since then, as well as drama, I have had the opportunity to write poetry and song lyrics and to collaborate with musicians and artists to create videos. I am about to write possibly the most important play of my life! Join the Performing Arts Mission community to follow my work as PAME.

Inspiration

Piggy and Woof are my daughter’s favourite toys. Grace has an amazing imagination. Watching her play inspired me to write about Piggy and Woof and their adventures. The themes of the stories are based on Grace’s real life experiences as Daddy joined the army to be an Army Chaplain. Although the stories are inspired by family life in the army, they address issues that many children have to face – moving house, joining a new school, a parent going away – as they encounter the epic adventure of life.

I am very aware of how difficult it is to be a child! Everyday issues are magnified so that the tiniest thing can be a trauma. Add to that all the big issues that are out of their control, children can feel overwhelmed and powerless. Hence I am passionate about my stories giving children a sense of hope.

The Illustrator

Antionette Petrides

Artist-Designer and Illustrator.

Antoinette who originally hails from Tipperary in Ireland has always had an avid interest and love of art. Her early influences stem from her home county and its Celtic flair in shape, colour, texture and embellishments.

Her work encompasses contemporary, abstract, portraiture and illustrating and now has a wide palette of artistic ability. She has been able to share this in the commercial market place, theatre, community centres, schools, and with her commissioned pieces.

Her love of art continues to provide her with both home and harbour constantly surprising, refreshing and holding her interest whilst keeping her sane.