About
I have been drawn to writing since childhood, as a form of escape and way of dealing with life. Writing stories where I was the hero, made it easier to cope with the playground bullies; writing angst-filled poetry got me through high school and writing to pen friends from different cultures around the globe broadened my mind and introduced me to the world as a young adult, long before I left home or the Internet came along.
Though writing has always been more of a hobby, I have been working as an editor since 2004, both freelance and in government and media positions.
A South African by birth, global citizen by effort, I have been living in New Zealand since 2001. I enjoy small town living and spend my days writing full time and in my free time I like to lose myself in arts and crafts, gardening and the occasional DIY disaster, with the company of my goofy greyhound Ben.
Author photograph by Emily Greig
Advocating Awareness
I have spent a lot of my life being told I wasn't 'normal' enough and that I had to try harder to be like everyone else. It took a great toll on my life and self-confidence as I developed the core belief that I was inherently flawed and inferior.
It was only later in life, when I learned that what made me so different were actually due to very real medical conditions and neurodiversity, and not character flaws. As a result I have become passionate about raising awareness around these issues and wear my awareness ribbons with pride.
To Fly Pegasus...
When I was 18 my best friend died tragically in a car accident. I lost part of myself that day. We were more than best friends, we were kindred spirits. It was as if we were made of the same cloth. Many years later a psychic told me that we are of the same soul group and that makes sense to me. It was as if we had known each other for centuries through many lifetimes. We were both 'old souls' and felt like we didn't belong in this world, but at least we had each other.
Losing her is the greatest loss I have ever endured and I miss her still every day. However, I know she is with me in spirit and I see her often in my dreams.
We daydreamed of knights, mythical creatures, love, romance and chivalry together. We were both writers and loved our monthly meetings of my high school's writers' circle. She was one year ahead of me and when she finished school she wrote in the school year book 'to fly Pegasus' as her future ambition.
When she passed, I vowed to try and live my life to the full – to aspire to fly Pegasus – for her. And I promised that when I eventually did write a book, I would dedicate it to her. I'm proud that I finally fulfilled that promise in 2023.
Readers of Shooting Stars may notice other dedications to Deighton such as Catherine pausing to light a candle in remembrance of a friend she lost, the dates on the tombstone of Elizabeth and the Deighton Writing Academy which has a Pegasus as its logo.
From your kindred spirit forever…
Until we meet again.
The beautiful Pegasus image is by Dorota Kudyba.
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© Copyright Skye Bothma
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