Born in Melbourne, Australia in the 1940's, Jenny Yate's middle-class family was dominated by domestic violence, which had a profound influence on her life choices. She left school at fifteen but returned to study in later life, gained her Higher School Certificate and enrolled in a writing course. Jenny never planned to write a book but her yearning for education led her to university. After she obtained her Bachelor of Arts majoring in Professional writing she completed her memoir, The Vine Bleeds.