I'm 42, which feels older than that sometimes, younger at others.

I've spent most of my adult life as an international aid worker, which is an awful lot of fun sometimes, and just awful at others.

I've spent a pile of time in countries at conflict, and seen the absolute worst - and the absolute best - humanity can offer. Health workers in war torn countries are my heroes.

I'm also the wife, niece, grand-daughter, great-grand-daughter, and great-great-grand-daughter of service men. In case anyone's counting, that's five generations, men and women, who've served. Most of us have been to war. I'm very proud of our service, while knowing that every one has hated it. I tell my son that he should be an accountant. But I still like to write for "soldier" characters.

In the very beginning of the series Life, Charlie Crews asks Constance if she ever feels like the two of them inhabit a different world which no one else can understand. The line knocked my socks off. I think about that line every time someone asks me what it's "really like" in Iraq or Afghanistan. I wish I could tell you but I'm nowhere near that good a writer.

Advice for my young son, who has changed my life so much: When you grow up, I hope you help the world. As an accountant.