An unusual collection of photos perhaps, however these are the images that link the toilet brush moment; that moment when you realise your current life path is a little overgrown. Don't worry, this is not a technical term, simply something that symbolises the life events which led to the formation of Begin-A-Book Writing Services.

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So, lets start at the beginning (because that's always a good place to start):

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In 2005 my second son was born. It soon became apparent that he was not like other babies and was in fact set to face many challenges.

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Seven weeks after his birth he was rushed to hospital where he was endlessly tested before being given an initial diagnosis of epilepsy. He suffered over 40 seizures in three days and I had no idea if he would survive. On one occasion I walked into the family room to find another mother applying a full face of make up; I couldn't remember the last time I'd showered. The irony of the way my life was changing became blindingly apparent in that moment.

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His early years were incredibly stressful, in and out of hospital with little to no understanding of what was wrong. Eventually I realised I would not be able to return to my former career due to his needs and so I took several different part time jobs to help make ends meet.

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I did a lot of cleaning. I cleaned offices, schools and houses. I worked for a small insurance company in the evenings making calls. I tried party plan businesses and I even launched my own business, AddiTots, providing a toddler group for children with additional needs. Sadly this didn't take off and I returned to cleaning.

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Things were changing in the United Kingdom too. We were about to see a new collaborative government with David Cameron and Nick Clegg at the helm and there was a sense of trepidation as to what this would mean.

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At this time I was cleaning at a local school in the afternoons and, due to my son's needs, kept my phone with me in case of emergency. Prior to both of my son's births I had been a Risk Control Surveyor for a large insurance company however I found my working time these days signified by a hoover, mop and bucket.

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On one particular day I was cleaning the girls toilets when my phoned pinged with a message. I checked it automatically, to find a text from my sister which read something like:

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"Guess what, I've just met the Prime Minister and I'm going to be on television."

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I should point out my sister works at a large hospital which had been visited by our new then Prime Minister, David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg. She, it transpired, had met them in person and been interviewed for the news.

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At the time I read this message I was, as I said, cleaning the girls' toilets and I literally had my phone in my left hand and in my right hand...the toilet brush. 

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I read this message, smiled and then laughed out loud at the ridiculousness of my situation as compared to the giddy heights my sister was achieving. It was at that precise moment I realised there was more to life and that I needed to stop being defined by my son's needs and embrace my passion. Writing.

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I discovered that whilst my son's situation had understandably taken over my life, I had also been using this as a kind of shield to prevent me putting my real self out there.

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So I began writing with more fervour and passion than I had previously and eventually, in 2017 I self-published my first novel, When Foundations Crumble.

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It was an incredible moment and has now led to the formation of Begin-A-Book Writing Services, the place where anyone can come and learn to write a book.

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Begin-A-Book came into being from that day in the toilets - when I held the toilet brush in my hand.

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Hence, the significance of the toilet brush moment ©.

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On all of our courses we ask you to explore yours.

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