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?
Younger than I am now . . .
But, seriously, I was a swot, and really wanted to find stuff out. I still do.
Q: What did you want to be when you were a child?
An archaeologist.
Guess what, my dream came true! You can read about it on my website (click the link at the top of this page).
Q: Which three words describe you best?
"I know that!"
or
"That, I know."
Q: What is your favourite word?
Palindrome.
It's a word, or even a whole sentence, you can spell forwards and backwards the same way, like my surname.
Q: What makes you cringe?
See next question.
Q: What are you afraid of?
Huh? Do you think I'm going to tell you that?!
Q: What is your most treasured possession?
My sense of curiosity.
Wow, that's a boring answer.
OK, then, how about the lump of fossilized dinosaur poo I was given a few years ago? It's hardly treasure, but it's definitely weird.
Q: What do you do as a hobby?
Ooh -- I've got lots of hobbies! I collect things, I grow veggies on an allotment, I'm tracing my family history . . .
Q: What strange habits do you have?
Not answering strange questions.
Q: What’s your favourite food?
Whatever you're cooking. Please make it something Greek.
Q: What is the most interesting place you have ever visited?
The British Museum, London. Not as boring as it sounds, honestly.
Q: What has life taught you?
"Bloom where you are planted."
Q: How long have you been a writer?
Full-time since 1994, but my first published work came out in the early 1980s.
Q: Where do you do your writing?
From an office at home.
Q: What are the best and worst things about being an author?
Best = being busy.
Worst = trying to fit everything in to a busy day.
Q: Which of your own characters do you most identify with?
Er, hold on a minute . . .
I write non-fiction books, so characters are not important to me. If you ask me which topics I identify with, I'll tell you it's the history ones.
Q: What do you do to combat “writers’ block”?
:-) Take a break.
:-)) Go into the garden.
:-))) Potter about in the greenhouse.
:-)))) Make a cup of tea.
:-))))) Make two cups of tea.
Q: What was your favourite book as a child?
"The Silver Sword" by Ian Serraillier. A war story set in World War II. I still have the copy I bought at school.
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
• Read lots
• Plan your work
• Ask for help and advice
• Use your library
• Stick at it
• Do not get tricked into paying your own money to have your work published. If it's any good, someone will pay you!
You Wouldnt Want to be a Victorian Schoolchild
ISBN
978-0750236010
Published By
Wayland
Status
In Print
Danger Zone: Avoid Becoming a Pirates Prisoner!
ISBN
978-1904194194
Published By
Book House
Status
In Print
Danger Zone: Avoid Being a Mammoth Hunter!
ISBN
978-1904642107
Published By
Book House
Status
In Print
Danger Zone: Avoid Sailing in the Spanish Armada!
ISBN
978-1904194804
Published By
Book House
Status
In Print
Danger Zone: Avoid Working in a Victorian Mill
ISBN
978-1905638499
Published By
Book House
Status
In Print
Danger Zone: Avoid Being a Slave in Pompeii
ISBN
978-1905638550
Published By
Book House
Status
In Print
You Wouldnt Want to be a Roman Gladiator
ISBN
9780750030670
Published By
Wayland
Status
In Print
You Wouldnt Want to be a Victorian Miner
ISBN
978-0750235983
Published By
Wayland
Status
In Print
100 Things … About Mummies
ISBN
978-1842369562
Published By
Miles Kelly
Status
In Print
100 Things … About Pyramids
ISBN
978-1848100930
Published By
Miles Kelly
Status
In Print