The Author Hotline
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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...
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Lynne Chapman
http://www.lynnechapman.co.ukcontact@lynnechapman.co.uk
To download this profile page, click HERE
Q: What did you want to be when you were a child?
A teacher first of all, but I soon decided to be an artist: I didn't know what an illustrator was then, because you didn't learn about them in school like you do now. I just knew I liked drawing and, because I did it lots, I got good at it. Then because I got good at it, people started to say how clever I was, and I thought 'I rather like this too...' (actually, that's still rather nice!)
Q: What quality do you most admire in a person?
Honesty and a sense of humour.
Q: What were you like at school?
I'd like to have some funny stories to tell you about how naughty I was, but I really loved school, so I was always good! I took everything very seriously and worried a lot about getting things right. I'm still a little bit like that sometimes.
Q: Which three words describe you best?
Arty, Smily, Control-freak (does that count as 1 word??)
Q: What is your favourite word?
Topiary, higgledy-piggeldy, gargantuan, oodles... it seems I have quite a few favourite words!
Q: What makes you cringe?
Usually me: when I open my mouth before my brain is engaged (happens fairly regularly)
Q: What are you afraid of?
Big black spiders mostly. Finding a toenail in my yoghurt would be pretty scary too...
Q: When did you last have a really good laugh?
I laugh all the time (my husband says I have loose screws) but I laughed REALLY loud when I watched the animation 'Robots' a couple of nights ago.
Q: What is your most treasured possession?
My sketchbooks, because they are totally irreplaceable. Everywhere I go, I take a little book and draw things I see. I love sketching, but it's also magical looking back through them, as they take me back there, even if years have gone by. As well as the place, I remember how I felt, any people who came up to have a look, and even smells, or music that was playing.
Q: What do you do as a hobby?
I draw (obviously), but I also read a lot of novels, and I love to dance (I go jiving in a big swirly skirt!). I like just hanging out with friends too.
Q: What strange habits do you have?
Well, I have been known to sing along with my Ipod (how embarressing is that?) and, even worse, I sometimes jiggle about to my music when I'm standing around in public places (must stop doing that...)
Q: What’s your favourite food?
Cheese, spinach, pannacotta (a very, VERY creamy pudding) and Thai hot-sour soup (so spicy it almost makes your eyes pop out!)
Q: What’s the most outrageous thing you’ve done?
I'm not telling you that!!!
Q: What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?
I thinking acting could be fun, especially in comedies.
Q: Do you feel younger or older than your current age?
Younger, definitely. I seem to have the energy of one of those puppies that is constantly dashing about, jumping up and down and playing with its own tail.
Q: What is the most interesting place you have ever visited?
I once spent 6 weeks travelling around China with my sketchbook. Everything was different to home - fascinating. You can see my China drawings on my website.
Q: What is the best advice anyone has ever given you?
If you really want to do something, don't give up.
Q: What was your favourite book as a child?
I loved Dr Seuss and Enid Blyton, especially 'The Cat in the Hat' and 'The Wishing Chair'
Q: What are the best and worst things about being an author?
The Best: you create your own worlds out of thin air. The Worst: you spend too long on your own!
Q: Where do you do your writing?
I work at home, in an attic studio, which makes it sound rather dark and mysterious, but it actually stretches right across the house, with huge windows. No cobwebs: honest!
Q: Where do you get your greatest ideas from?
I try not to search too hard for them, as they don't like that: ideas pop into your head automatically if you let them.
Q: How long have you been a writer?
I have been an illustrator for over 20 years (!!!) but have been creating children's book for nearly 12 years.
Q: Which of your own characters do you most identify with?
Maybe Jasper the Cat from the 'Show at Rickety Barn', as I like to perform and show off, but I also like having fun with friends.
Q: What do you do to combat “writers’ block”?
If I can't get started, I just begin writing anything: perhaps describe what I see in front of me, or make up and describe a person, or simply write whatever pops into my head, however silly. It's surprising how often that leads you to somewhere more interesting... and then you're away!
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
If you've finished writing something you're really pleased with, put it away for a week or so, then read it again with fresh eyes: you'll see lots of ways to make it even better when you come back.
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