I am a writer based on a woodland croft in Assynt, 'this most beautiful corner of the land', as rightly described by Norman MacCaig. My first novel, The Last Bear, won the Robin Jenkins Literary Award in 2009. I also write poetry, and have two published collections (letting light in, Essence Press 2005 and Castings, Two Ravens Press, 2007). My obsession with paper led to a global journey in 2006 exploring where all the paper we use comes from, resulting in a non-fiction book (Paper Trails: from trees to trash – the true cost of paper, Virgin Books, 2008). I am a founding director of community arts company Top Left Corner, and I enjoy mentoring and tutoring writers and running creative writing retreats.