The Author Hotline
is
being developed by CW4K, or Creative Writing 4 Kids. They are the company behind a website that enables children to create and publish their own stories online. In its first year it has signed up over 2000 members and has been enthusiastically received by children, parents and teachers. In fact the response has been so encouraging that they are planning a huge expansion of its services. Embedding The Author Hotline into the site is part of that expansion...
For more information on CW4K CLICK HERE
Q: What were you like at school?
Oh... um... a complete geek. Somethings never change...
Q: What did you want to be when you were a child?
A writer and a film maker.
Q: Which three words describe you best?
Enthusiastic. It's just one word, but I generally have the enthusiasm for three people.
Q: What is your favourite word?
It changes. Currently it's "noggin"
Q: What makes you cringe?
People inflated with a sense of their own importance. They never are remotely important or interesting.
Q: What are you afraid of?
I'm terrified of not knowing what I'm afraid of... I used to be quite frightened of things, then I did several documentaries in haunted houses. That seemed to cure my fear of everything.
Q: When did you last have a really good laugh?
Last time I watched DUMB AND DUMBER
Q: What is your most treasured possession?
Maybe my original hand-painted animation cell of Daffy Duck and Porky Pig...
Q: What do you do as a hobby?
Watch films and travel as much as humanly possible. Alas, most of the travel is usually about work - but it gets me out of the house.
Q: What’s your favourite food?
Shortbread and strawberries.... mmmm....
Q: If you could meet one person, dead or alive, who would it be?
Nikola Tesla the genius inventor
Q: What is the most interesting place you have ever visited?
The Amazon jungle on my way to Angel Falls
Q: What is the best advice anyone has ever given you?
A single success is based on a thousand failures. Never give up.
Q: How long have you been a writer?
I've always wanted to be a writer, so have always written. As far back as school I loved writing stories. But a paid (and therefore professional) writer... that came when I was about 19 and still in college. I started writing with my brother, coming up with story lines for the Highlander TV show.
Q: Was there a specific moment in your life when you decide to become a writer?
Because I enjoyed reading comics - from the Beano through the Spiderman and Daredevil - I had always thought that my stories could entertain people. I can't think of a specific time I thought "I want to be a writer", but it happened because I liked reading and creating my own tales of high adventure!
Q: Where do you do your writing?
Either on the couch, resisting the temptation to watch The Simpsons, or in my office - which is filled with comic books and toys; both of which are distracting.
Q: What are the best and worst things about being an author?
The best thing is the freedom to work when and where I want... although "freedom" is an odd word because a writer is often writing to a deadline. The worst thing is probably the re-writes. My book work is usually accepted after a few polishes, but sometimes a screenplay can be completely re-written several times over before a producer, director or actor is happy with it. Although, occasionally, re-writes can also be the best part because listening to people can improve your story. Sometimes.
Q: Where do you get your greatest ideas from?
A small magic chest buried in my garden.
Q: Which of your own characters do you most identify with?
Maybe Jake Hunter in Villain.net... not that I'm evil, of course! I identify with his perseverance against all the odds.
Q: What do you do to combat “writers’ block”?
I find that writing several projects at a time overrides the dreaded block. Writer's block usually comes to people who are staring at their story until they get blinded and can't see beyond it. When I get hit with a problem in a book, for example, I'll just put it aside and write several pages of a screenplay (until I hit a problem with that!) then return to the book. Usually, the problem has solved itself in my head and I can jump straight back into writing!
Q: What was your favourite book as a child?
The Hobbit, by JRR Tolkien... or The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams.
Q: What book do you wish you had written?
The list is too long...
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
Never quit. Don't listen to people who say "you can't", but always take advice from people who do.
HERO.COM 1: RISE OF THE HEROES
ISBN
978-0192755438
Published By
Oxford University Press
Status
In Print
VILLAIN.NET 1: COUNCIL OF EVIL
ISBN
978-0192755445
Published By
Oxford University Press
Status
In Print
HERO.COM 2: VIRUS ATTACK
ISBN
978-0192755452
Published By
Oxford University Press
Status
In Print
VILLAIN.NET 2: DARK HUNTER
ISBN
978-0192755469
Published By
Oxford University Press
Status
In Print
HERO.COM 3: CRISIS POINT
ISBN
978-0192729255
Published By
Oxford University Press
Status
In Print
VILLAIN.NET 3: POWER SURGE
ISBN
978-0192729248
Published By
Oxford University Press
Status
In Print
HERO.COM 4: CHAOS EFFECT
ISBN
978-0192729699
Published By
Oxford University Press
Status
In Print
VILLAIN.NET 4: COLLISION COURSE
ISBN
978-0192729682
Published By
Oxford University Press
Status
In Print
RITUAL
ISBN
978-1905692330
Published By
Markosia Comics
Status
In Print
KONG: KING OF SKULL ISLAND
ISBN
978-1905692347
Published By
Markosia Comics
Status
In Print