When I was a child I dreamed of not only being a writer, but of having a book for sale in a bookshop with my name on its cover. And like the best of dreams, it came to pass. But even better, I’ve ended up with several books, selling in several different countries.

My latest novel, A Type of Beauty, the story of Kathleen Newton (1854-1882), is the fact-led story of the life of feisty Kate Newton who was mistress and muse to French painter Jacques Tissot.

In my time I’ve written acres of newspaper and magazine features; radio plays and documentaries; scores of Sunday Miscellany pieces; and dozens of short stories.

An undreamed of and most rewarding spin-off has been convening writing workshops, including on-line ones, as well as providing an editing service to help writers bring their work up to professional standard. I also write a blog - lovewriting.patriciaoreilly.net.

My book ‘Writing for Success’ is full of tips and information for writers and would-be writers and neatly loops into my work with writers.

You can also find me on Twitter

I am writing a new travel blog: lovetravelpatriciaoreilly.blogspot.com