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?
I went to St. Paul's Girls School in London. I was shy, good at tennis and netball, worked hard to get good grades and adored languages. I hated physics, so I gave up all science at the age of 13 - what a mistake. Worst of all, I hated reading. Can't believe this now, since I am a writer. I'll tell you more about this another time.
Q: What did you want to be when you were a child?
Grown up
Q: Which three words describe you best?
Persistent, positive, family-centred
Q: What is your favourite word?
as someone said re Mozart - 'too many words'.
Q: What makes you cringe?
illiterate people twittering
Q: What are you afraid of?
losing my marbles
Q: When did you last have a really good laugh?
a few days ago - at a joke sent to me
Q: What is your most treasured possession?
dozens of photo albums
Q: What do you do as a hobby?
I make tiny models out of fimo - mostly food
Q: What strange habits do you have?
I take photos of things I can't bear to get rid of, then I get rid of the things.
Q: What’s your favourite food?
Roast beef, yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes, roasted onions,
Q: What do you day dream about?
selling millions of copies of my books
Q: What’s the most outrageous thing you’ve done?
Started a cookery school with no experience of teaching
Q: What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?
I'd like to be a pianist but I have no musical talent - other than listening and loving music.
Q: Do you feel younger or older than your current age?
younger. If I felt my age I wouldn't do half the things I do now
Q: If you could meet one person, dead or alive, who would it be?
Amos Oz
Q: What quality do you most admire in a person?
The ability to listen
Q: What is the most interesting place you have ever visited?
Venice
Q: What is the best advice anyone has ever given you?
If you get a rejection note, get the manuscript back in the mail by the next post.
Q: What would you most like to change about yourself?
I'd like to have beautiful feet
Q: What has life taught you?
To appreciate all the blessings I've been given and to admire those who fight against adversity.
Q: How long have you been a writer?
Since about 1980
Q: Was there a specific moment in your life when you decide to become a writer?
No, it happened gradually. I started writing cookbooks as a result of inventing dishes for my cookery classes.
Q: Where do you do your writing?
Sitting at a computer looking out on to a beautiful magnolia tree in the garden
Q: What are the best and worst things about being an author?
The best thing is that you work alone. The worst thing is that you work alone. I mean this: having no one to tell you how to structure your day is great. But then writing is a solitary business.
Q: Where do you get your greatest ideas from?
reading other people's work
Q: Which of your own characters do you most identify with?
Nina, a character in my novel, that is actually me.
Q: What do you do to combat “writers’ block”?
Thankfully, I've never had it.
Q: What was your favourite book as a child?
I didn't have one - I preferred to be out playing tennis.
Q: What book do you wish you had written?
Claudia Roden's book of Jewish Cookery
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
Keep going, and if you can't get an agent or publisher, publish yourself.
The Camel Trail
ISBN
97809517220-2-2
Published By
Marsons
Status
In Print
Lookit Cookit
ISBN
9780951722046
Published By
Marsons
Status
In Print
A Feast in Fifteen Stories
ISBN
0951722010
Status
Out of Print
The Essential Jewish cookbook
ISBN
0754806685
Published By
Anness/Lorenz
Status
In Print
The Home Book of Jewish Cookery
ISBN
0571116973
Status
Out of Print