David Bridger

When I was young, there were so many things I looked forward to doing with my life. So many interests. Ancient history, archaeology, sailing and rock music have stayed with me - and over the years I've grown to love stuff like anthropology, social justice, wildlife protection and photography. Right from the start, though, there were two things that I knew would happen: I would go to sea and I would write. I went to sea straight from school, and spent twenty years on various ships and boats. I visited dozens of countries, including one whole blissful year island-hopping in the Caribbean, and it was exactly how I used to dream it would be during those long afternoon lessons at school. And I continued to dream. I told myself stories, and explored beyond the horizons in my mind, and visited other worlds during those long night watches under the stars. I learned that places will talk to us, if we will listen. I learned that every one of us is larger than life. Before I put pen to paper, I was already a writer. I'm home now. The sea still calls me, but the stories call me more urgently and I have to tell them.