I’m Harriet and I’m a writer, storyteller and communication specialist. For the past 30 odd years I’ve worked in writing and communication roles with organisations large and small, 18 of those years working for myself, but you can trace my love of stories and writing much further back.

As the youngest of four children and one of an army of cousins, I was brought up on a diet of family stories, myths and whispered conversations.

While I listened, I witnessed the power of sharing stories and the importance of keeping the lines of communication open when it came to connecting with each other and nurturing relationships. I didn’t realise until after graduating though that I could earn a living from writing and communication.

That came through a series of temping jobs and scanning the jobs pages after graduating from Newcastle Poly where I studied French and Spanish. There wasn’t one lightbulb moment, it was more like a dimmer switch.

This led to the suited and booted years and a series of corporate communication roles with companies like Whitbread, AXA and Lloyds TSB. This is where I learned about business, strategy, communication planning, building relationships not to mention the importance of knowing your audience and writing like a human. Knowledge and experience I draw on to this day.

The stories that connect us

Going freelance in 2008 gave me the flexibility to blend client work with family life and working with people in a more human way like training to be a post-natal facilitator with NCT, becoming a volunteer reading coach with Read Easy and spending a year as a part-time Special Education Needs teaching assistant.

More recently I blended my writing life with working as a part-time team member at Oliver Bonas in Ilkley where I spent two afternoons a week on the shopfloor chatting with (mostly women) customers and colleagues, reminding me again of the power of a good conversation.

Plot twists

There have been plot twists along the way. Relocating with my family from Bath to Bournemouth in 2014, and to Ilkley in 2017 before breast cancer treatment in 2018.

Tough years that taught me a huge amount about resilience and reinvention not to mention knowing when to pause, and when to keep going. It’s also why I feel a particular kinship with a lot of the women I work with. Women navigating big life and work changes. I know how it feels to start again, work out who you are, what you want to say and how to say it – with confidence. 

This Writing Life

Alongside writing for others I write memoir and fiction. I was shortlisted for the Fish Short Memoir Competition in 2023 with The First Funeral, I write In Other Words on Substack and you’ll find me on Instagram where the conversation carries on between projects. It’s where I share thoughts on storytelling, writing and book suggestions. I’m also a regular at Ilkley writing groups including Moor Words and Write-In as well as networking group Ladies Who Latte.

Helping others to tell their story

Since 2019 I’ve been helping women in their midlife to find their voice and write their stories so that they can connect with the people who matter to them.

You can call me on 07920 144943 or email me to book a Free Discovery Call, I’d love to hear from you. The first conversation is always free, always friendly, and almost always involves a cup of tea.

Harriet

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