Chris Bradford

Q: What were you like at school?

Hard working

Q: What did you want to be when you were a child?

An astronaut

Q: Which three words describe you best?

Determined, enthusiastic and disciplined

Q: What is your favourite word?

Thank you (I know it's two words but they're both very important!)

Q: What are you afraid of?

Sharks

Q: When did you last have a really good laugh?

I laugh everyday. It's good for you.

Q: What is your most treasured possession?

My samurai sword

Q: What do you do as a hobby?

I train in samurai sword fighting and ninjutsu

Q: What’s your favourite food?

Chocolate chip cookies

Q: What do you day dream about?

Traveling the world

Q: What’s the most outrageous thing you’ve done?

Eaten live termites as part of my survival training in Africa

Q: What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?

Explorer

Q: Do you feel younger or older than your current age?

Younger! I'll never grow up!

Q: If you could meet one person, dead or alive, who would it be?

My grandfather. He was a truly inspirational person.

Q: What quality do you most admire in a person?

Kindness

Q: What is the most interesting place you have ever visited?

Angkor Wat in Cambodia

Q: What is the best advice anyone has ever given you?

Don't ever give up

Q: What has life taught you?

You can achieve anything if you put your mind to it

Q: How long have you been a writer?

Since 2005 when my first non-fiction book, Heart & Soul: The Craft of Songwriting, came out. But I only turned my hand to fiction in 2007.

Q: Was there a specific moment in your life when you decide to become a writer?

Yes - the publication of Young Samurai: The Way of the Warrior changed my life. I gave up music teaching and became a full-time author. I've never looked back since!

Q: Where do you do your writing?

In the back bedroom of my house, overlooking the garden.

Q: What are the best and worst things about being an author?

The best thing is creating something that people either enjoy or are inspired by. The hardest part of being an author is the isolation and when you stuck with your writing.

Q: Where do you get your greatest ideas from?

My life experience, travelling and from history itself.

Q: Which of your own characters do you most identify with?

Jack Fletcher. His martial arts experiences mirror many of my own.

Q: What do you do to combat “writers’ block”?

Go for a run!

Q: What was your favourite book as a child?

The Twits by Roald Dahl; followed by the Fighting Fantasy series.

Q: What book do you wish you had written?

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

Q: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

1. Read lots 2. Write lots 3. Never give up!