John worked at various jobs - in a research laboratory, on a farm, and as a rock guitarist - before realizing he wanted to write. He took a degree in Drama and English, acted and directed in a theatre company touring schools, and then began his professional writing career with radio plays in the 1980s. He has since written plays for the theatre and television scripts for the BBC. He is also the author of a series of historical crime novels, and a non-fiction book, A Survival Guide for Writers. The Elizabethan Mysteries series follows the same loveable character, adventurous apprentice Ben Button, and his fellow players.