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 did you want to be when you were a child?
A policeman first and then an astronaut.
Q: Which three words describe you best?
Storyteller, fantasist, astronaut.
Q: What is your favourite word?
Moist
Q: What is your most treasured possession?
I'm not telling - in case you try to steal it - it's my preciousssss!
Q: What do you do as a hobby?
Brain surgery, rocket science, time-travelling and flamenco dancing - oh and making things up!
Q: What do you day dream about?
Finishing and publishing my novel!
Q: What’s the most outrageous thing you’ve done?
I once waddled through the town square of Sienna in Italy disguised as ET.
Q: What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?
Film Director
Q: Do you feel younger or older than your current age?
Younger - I think once you're past 21 everyone does!
Q: If you could meet one person, dead or alive, who would it be?
Charles Darwin. He dared to think the unthinkable and gave the human race a huge insight into what life was really about - plus he looked like Father Christmas!
Q: What quality do you most admire in a person?
Objectivity. I think we're all prejudiced in one way or another and I've tremendous respect for anyone who can put their prejudices aside.
Q: What would you most like to change about yourself?
This is a tough one as I'm pretty much perfect … I could do with being a little less modest perhaps?
Q: What has life taught you?
If you want's something badly, go for it, and don't be put off by other people telling you you will never achieve it.
Q: How long have you been a writer?
I've written stories since I was a child, but my first book was published in 1999.
Q: What are the best and worst things about being an author?
The best thing is to be able to make a living from doing something you love. The worst is having to spend a lot of time on your own.
Q: Where do you get your greatest ideas from?
To be honest, I steal a lot of them from my children. But don't tell them that, or they'll want more pocket money!
Q: What do you do to combat “writers’ block”?
Start working on something else - usually another book.
Q: What was your favourite book as a child?
I had three - all by American authors: Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, The Cat in the Hat by Dr Seus, Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson.
Q: What book do you wish you had written?
Too many to mention here. Mortal Engines by Phillip Reeve and the Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman are two recent children's book that come to mind, in addition to those listed above.
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
Get stuck in! Start writing now, and don’t be disappointed if the first things you write are not as impressive as you’d hoped. Don’t be afraid to show your stories to other people to see what they think. You can’t learn by your mistakes if you’re not prepared to make any or have someone else point them out! ... Oh and always use the POINTY end of the pencil! You’ll find it’s much easier to write with.
The Santa Trap
ISBN
978-1405091008
Published By
Macmillan
Status
In Print
Pig's Might Fly
ISBN
0140569901
Published By
Puffin
Status
In Print
Someone Bigger
ISBN
0192725599
Published By
Oxford University Press
Status
In Print
Emergency Rescue
ISBN
9780230528758
Published By
Macmillan
Status
In Print
Bringing Down the Moon
ISBN
978-0744589504
Published By
Walker Books
Status
In Print
Ruby Flew Too!
ISBN
9781405051620
Published By
Macmillan
Status
In Print
She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain
ISBN
978-1405226493
Published By
Egmont
Status
In Print
The Princess and the Pig
ISBN
9780330512763
Published By
Macmillan
Status
In Print
Callum's Incredible Construction Kit
ISBN
9781405252232
Published By
Egmont
Status
In Print