Moira Stephen is an IT trainer at Heriot-Watt University.
Biography
Moira studied History at Edinburgh University – originally planning to become a history teacher. However, her early career took her into business where she held a number of roles ranging from director's PA to IT support professional.
This led into a lecturing career in FE where she moved up through the ranks of lecturer, senior lecturer and curriculum manager in Administration and Information Technology before leaving FE to move into HE to establish the IT Training section within Heriot-Watt University.
Moira started writing several years ago and has over 20 titles to her credit. Her titles include general IT user books as well as titles for SQA Intermediate and Higher Administration qualifications.
Throughout her career she has worked on several projects for the SQA including the rollout of PC Passport and writing examination papers for HNC and HND Administration and Information Management – so she has experience in working with a wide range of learners.
Moira's hobbies include gardening, cooking (and eating) Indian food, going to concerts (her favourite band is Wishbone Ash).
What is your earliest memory?
A thunderstorm when walking home from Ledgerwood Primary School. I was just turned 5, it scared me, and I took to my heels.
Which teacher inspired you the most at school?
The physics/guidance teacher at high school who encouraged me when I said I wanted to go to university.
What was your worst subject at school?
Latin – hated it.
What inspired you to get writing?
I was doing IT training for Ferranti on an IT application that I couldn’t buy a book on – so I thought “I could do that...” I put my notes together, bundled them up so they looked nice, and sent them off to lots of different publishers (I remember sitting on the floor in a book shop in George Street looking for publisher addresses in some of the books, baby beside me in the buggy). One got back... and that was the start...
What do you do to relax?
Walk, garden, cook, meet friends for coffee, play piano (badly).
What is your favourite book?
Something by John Grisham.
What is your favourite film?
Don’t know if I have a favourite – maybe Schindler’s List.
What is your favourite album?
Argus (Wishbone Ash) - but I like lots of music – mainly rock and classical.
What is the most fun you’ve had in a single day?
Difficult one! A day trip to Westray from the Orkney mainland. Weather was great – saw loads of puffins and seals – real chill out stuff.
What have you done that no one would guess you'd done?
Now that would be my secret!