Miss Ifield suffers from chronic fatigue and Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), which affects the autonomic nervous system. 

Despite often feeling lethargic and needing more sleep than most, Miss Ifield has managed to publish numerous books. 

She donated her collection of children’s novels to schools throughout the shire recently, as well as the same selection and her young adult book to the town library. 

“Writing is a kind of therapy for me,” Miss Ifield said. 

“I’ve always known I wanted to be a writer. 

“Every day that I can get out of bed, I write. 

“Even if it’s just for a little while. I love doing it.”

The books presented to the schools – The Candlestick Dragon and The Chicken Liberation Army were published at the end of 2013. 

Miss Ifield has more books in the works and hopes they will be published this year. 

She told students her motivation to write came from many different areas. 

“It does help to take your mind off things,” she said. 

“As a child I used to love reading books and I would be jealous of the adventures characters were able to go on. 

“As a writer you get to go on those adventures with them. 

“I always have new ideas popping into my head for the next book. 

“Hopefully the schools will get a lot of use out of my books.”

Miss Ifield said reading was more important than ever. 

“It’s such an important skill to have,” she said. 

“However, it’s not just about actually knowing how to read. 

“It can be such an enjoyable activity and hobby for young and old.

“You really do get transported to another world.”

Miss Ifield said she sometimes found it hard to write given her conditions, but it was what helped her the most. 

“Sometimes my brain is just mush and it’s all word salad up there, but it helps me get through,” she said.