Authors Hotline - Where authors and their readers connect

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

Jane Clarke

http://www.jane-clarke.co.uk
jane.e.clarke@btinternet.com
To download this profile page, click HERE

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

An acrobat. I spent a lot of time hanging upside down dreaming I was whirling through the air on a flying trapeze.

Q: What makes you cringe?

My two dogs greeting someone at the door with jaws full of dirty underwear they've stolen from the washing basket.

Q: What do you do as a hobby?

Scramble over rocks hunting for fossils. Ammonites are my favourite.

Q: What has life taught you?

To make the most of it wherever it may take you.

Q: How long have you been a writer?

I'm a late starter. I loved rhymes and stories when I was at primary school, but my handwriting and spelling were so awful, I hated writing anything down. I've been a full-time writer for 6 years. Before that, I was an archaeologist (in London), a history teacher (in Wales), a full-time Mum (in Holland and the USA) and a library assistant (in Belgium).

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

I was working in the library at Antwerp International School, and every week, a little girl called Jasmine asked me if the library had a story about 'a princess, a rabbit and shopping.' She wouldn't take no for an answer, so in the end I cracked, and wrote one for her - and surprised myself by enjoying writing it.

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

The best things are the buzz when a story or poem is going well, and visiting schools. The worst thing is falling asleep over the keyboard. It leaves a patchwork of key marks on the side of your face, and if your own story has bored you to sleep, you know it's not working.

Q: Where do you get your greatest ideas from?

My family and friends. Don't tell them, but it helps me if I think of them as animals :-)

Q: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

Write down your story or poem as it pops into your head. Then take out your writer's toolkit - mine includes strong coffee, a thesaurus and a dictionary - and get to work on it.

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My Books

Gilbert the Great

ISBN
9780689861406
Published By
Simon and Schuster
Status
In Print
Gilbert in Deep

ISBN
9781416911012
Published By
Simon and Schuster
Status
In Print
Stuck in the Mud

ISBN
9781862305366
Published By
Puffin
Status
In Print
Dino Dog

ISBN
9780552550321
Published By
Corgi Books
Status
In Print
Shadow Puppet and other ghost stories

ISBN
9780713688849
Published By
A&C Black
Status
In Print
Squeaky Clean

ISBN
9780749668051
Published By
Watts
Status
In Print
Runny Honey

ISBN
9780749672959
Published By
Watts
Status
In Print
Trumpet, the little elephant with a big temper

ISBN
9781416904823
Published By
Simon and Schuster
Status
In Print
Dippy's Sleepover

ISBN
9780099451396
Published By
Red Fox
Status
In Print
Knight Time

ISBN
9781862305366
Published By
Red Fox
Status
In Print