Story-telling is part of Barbara’s history; one grandfather was born in an East End Workhouse; her great-grandmother used to sit by the fire in a remote Lancashire village, telling stories of her own family history. In the 1901 Census she is described at 12 as ‘schoolgirl and weaver’. She became one of the Mill Girl Suffragettes. ‘I became enchanted by words and politics’.

 

Trained as a lawyer she worked in the City and then Politics, campaigning for Women’s rights. But writing was winning, and she launched Redhammer Literary Agency in 2004. At the same time she was screenwriting and has completed six screenplays.

 

She is currently working with Joan Lane, who developed ‘The King’s Speech’, who is co-producing ‘Emily’ and ‘Godfather of Rock’.