Born and raised in Ireland (a small coastal town called, Wexford), I now reside in the UK (after 10 years living in London, I made the move to Cambridge).
I was recently asked why I write, and for a moment, the question stumped me as I'd always just sinply wrote things down that came into my head. My response to the question was that I have a very practical job (I work in the science field), and I wrote as a way to express creativity. The question setter, rightly argued that science can be very creative. They are right, but not what I do in my daily job.
I've been writing for a long time, but have never really taken it seriously until maybe 3-4 years ago.
That's when I started to focus on my writing, and sharpening what I put down on paper, and submitted a few peices here and there. Other's might argue it was due to turning 40 about that time, but age is just a number.
I mainly write fictional short stories, and my prominent themes usually circle around familial relationships, death, and religion.
Growing up in Ireland, you might say those themes are hard to avoid, and you'd be right!