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?
At my state Primary School I knew I was one of the cleverest children, so I was quite cheerful and happy. Then I went on a scholarship to a girls' independent school and found I was one bright girl amongst many cleverer, That was a culture shock it took me a long time to get over. Eventually, I found my niche but was a bit of a rebel
Q: What did you want to be when you were a child?
A garage mechanic, then an archaeologist and then an architect.
Q: Which three words describe you best?
Impatient, romantic, precise
Q: What is your favourite word?
renege
Q: What makes you cringe?
Frank Sinatra's My Way; grammatical errors; most politicians, the word "hubby" - I spend a lot of time cringing!
Q: What are you afraid of?
Heights, Daddy-long-legs. Used to be camels but not so much now.
Q: When did you last have a really good laugh?
At a production of Twelfth Night yesterday, when Toby Belch, Andrew Aguecheek and Fabian were all "hiding" in a tree
Q: What is your most treasured possession?
My wedding ring
Q: What do you do as a hobby?
The word "hobby" makes me cringe. Oh no, that was "hubby"! Actually I don't like "hobby" either. I do everything whether work or leisure with the same intensity. I like reading best, then music (classical) and swimming, cooking, playing with my Burmese cats, doing cryptic crosswords, taking part in quizzes (if I am on the winning team)
Q: What strange habits do you have?
I sleep with one leg stuck out of bed
Q: What’s your favourite food?
I am a vegetarian but beyond that I like everything except beetroot, goat cheese and pineapple. I specially like Indian and Thai food, tofu, noodles, vegetable pie. I prefer savoury to sweet and am easily over-pasta-ed
Q: What do you day dream about?
Fame and riches
Q: What’s the most outrageous thing you’ve done?
I don't really do outrageous things. Maybe not addressing George W Bush as Mr President when I met him counts?
Q: What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?
Opera singer
Q: Do you feel younger or older than your current age?
Definitely younger
Q: If you could meet one person, dead or alive, who would it be?
Michelangelo. I'm writing a book about him and it would be v. useful!
Q: What quality do you most admire in a person?
Courage and honesty
Q: What is the most interesting place you have ever visited?
Siena
Q: What is the best advice anyone has ever given you?
I'm very bad at receiving advice! But I learn by example.
Q: What would you most like to change about yourself?
I'd like to be taller or have perfect eyesight
Q: What has life taught you?
I'm still trying to find out
Q: How long have you been a writer?
My first book was published in 1975
Q: Was there a specific moment in your life when you decide to become a writer?
Yes, when I had no idea what else to do, when I left university
Q: Where do you do your writing?
Mornings are best for me. I work on a green sofa in my green and white study, with my laptop on my lap. But in a sense I'm always writing wherever I am. A writer never really goes off duty.
Q: What are the best and worst things about being an author?
The best is being your own boss. The worst is having to chase other people to do their jobs
Q: Where do you get your greatest ideas from?
Inspiration particles
Q: Which of your own characters do you most identify with?
The Duchessa, Silvia, in the Stravaganza sequence. She is beautiful, powerful, ruthless and everyone adores her. Also Grace, who is a little girl who likes stories
Q: What do you do to combat “writers’ block”?
I am lucky enough not to suffer from this debilitating condition
Q: What was your favourite book as a child?
Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings
Q: What book do you wish you had written?
I don't want to write other people's books usually but sometimes I am bowled over by another writer's brilliance, such as the late Jan Mark
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
Don't aspire, perspire! You can't read too much or too widely. Don't stick to one genre. Write a lot and don't be afraid to throw a lot away.
Stravaganza: City of Masks
ISBN
9780747595694
Published By
Bloomsbury
Status
In Print
Stravaganza: City of Stars
ISBN
978-0747595700
Published By
Bloomsbury
Status
In Print
Stravaganza: City of Flowers
ISBN
978-0747595717
Published By
Bloomsbury
Status
In Print
Stravaganza: City of Secrets
ISBN
978-0747592501
Published By
Bloomsbury
Status
In Print
The Falconer's Knot
ISBN
978-0747589006
Published By
Bloomsbury
Status
In Print
Troubadour
ISBN
978-0747592518
Published By
Bloomsbury
Status
In Print
Seven Wonders of the World
ISBN
0711219869
Published By
Frances Lincoln
Status
In Print
Bravo, Grace!
ISBN
9781845070571
Published By
Frances Lincoln
Status
In Print
The Colour of Home
ISBN
0-71121-991-5
Published By
Frances Lincoln
Status
In Print
Princess Grace
ISBN
9781845076696
Published By
Frances Lincoln
Status
In Print
Starring Grace
ISBN
9780711221406
Published By
Frances Lincoln
Status
In Print
Grace and Family
ISBN
0-7112-0869-7
Published By
Frances Lincoln
Status
In Print
Amazing Grace
ISBN
0-7112-0670-8
Published By
Frances Lincoln
Status
In Print
Encore Grace!
ISBN
9780711219762
Published By
Frances Lincoln
Status
In Print