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 was shy, but at the same time quite actressy. I wasn't socially confident, and had a few special friends rather than lots and lots.
Q: What did you want to be when you were a child?
A dancer, a writer, an artist, and (ha-ha) a saint (didn't take on board the requisite status for that last ambition was being extremely GOOD and being extremely DEAD!)
Q: Which three words describe you best?
restless, workaholic, loving
Q: What is your favourite word?
I have lots of favourite words, like twilight,luminous, iridescent, stillness, peace...
Q: What are you afraid of?
Creepy-crawlies that I can't see, especially at night.
Q: What is your most treasured possession?
My Bernina sewing machine - I love it!
Q: What do you do as a hobby?
Can yoga be described as a hobby? Otherwise I'm serious and professional about everything I do.
Q: What’s your favourite food?
avocado salad
Q: What do you day dream about?
Traveling a lot more. And having another book launch like the fantastic central London one I had for FOR MARITSA WITH LOVE, a Young Adult novel about a Romanian gypsy girl in Paris. This book attracted a European film offer which fell through, and I dream about a French film company turning it into a film a bit like AMELIE (but they'd have to translate it first!)
Q: What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?
In another life,I'd love to train as a classical dancer. One day I may even get back to painting, too.
Q: Do you feel younger or older than your current age?
Younger mostly, but sometimes extremely ANCIENT and CRUMBLY!
Q: If you could meet one person, dead or alive, who would it be?
Vivienne Westwood, an original and amazing dress designer who reminds me of portraits of Elizabeth the First. She's COOL!
Q: What quality do you most admire in a person?
Responsiveness
Q: What is the most interesting place you have ever visited?
Oregon and the Pacific coast, USA
Q: What would you most like to change about yourself?
I'd like to be a lot braver.
Q: What makes you cringe?
racists!
Q: When did you last have a really good laugh?
My grandson's wonderful spelling of 'elephant'! (I won't tell you because it might embarrass him in a few years time).
Q: What’s the most outrageous thing you’ve done?
I've done a lot of posing for life classes, which some people might classify as outrageous (I'd classify THEM as very silly).
Q: How long have you been a writer?
Since I was about seven or eight, I think, and that makes it a long, long time.
Q: Was there a specific moment in your life when you decide to become a writer?
No
Q: Where do you do your writing?
In my back room which overlooks the garden. For years I used to write curled up in a cane rocking chair in front of the computer, which made my first editor really LAUGH! I now have a very comfy office chair.
Q: What are the best and worst things about being an author?
One of the best things is communicating with people I'll never, probably, even meet - that's magic. The worst thing has to be waiting for responses and decisions from publishers.
Q: What do you do to combat “writers’ block”?
Work.
Q: What was your favourite book as a child?
The Box of Delights by John Masefield.
Q: What book do you wish you had written?
Any of the fairy stories by Oscar Wilde - pure, heartbreaking magic!
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
Writing's a hard profession, but there are so many outlets now - far more than when I first started. Believe in yourself and your work - that's all I can say.
Q: Where do you get your greatest ideas from?
Living, feeling and listening.
Q: Which of your own characters do you most identify with?
Nearly all of them.
-
The Big Purple Wonder Book
ISBN
0 2375 3583 1
Published By
Evans Bros
Status
In Print -
Billy and the Wizard
ISBN
0 7496 7977 8
Published By
Franklin Watts
Status
In Print -
For Maritsa With Love
ISBN
0 689 83636 8
Status
Out of Print -
Jack the Fearless
ISBN
0 7496 6546 7
Published By
Franklin Watts
Status
In Print -
The Dream Dog
ISBN
0 7445 4130 1
Status
Out of Print -
Wolfsong
ISBN
0 7445 2432 6
Status
Out of Print -
The Stone That Grew
ISBN
0 7445 5250 8
Status
Out of Print -
Plop City
ISBN
0 7496 6561 0
Published By
Franklin Watts
Status
In Print -
Sticky Vickie
ISBN
0 7496 7978 6
Published By
Franklin Watts
Status
In Print -
To Summon a Spirit
ISBN
0 7445 5905 7
Status
Out of Print -
The Enchanted Village
ISBN
0 7445 7728 4
Status
Out of Print -
The Magic Skateboard
ISBN
0 7445 5277 X
Status
Out of Print -
Kachunka!
ISBN
0 7445 3100 4
Status
Out of Print -
Gemma and the Beetle People
ISBN
o 7445 3664 2
Status
Out of Print -
The Time Tree
ISBN
0 7445 6072 1
Status
Out of Print -
Jamie and the Whippersnapper
ISBN
0 09 940098 0
Status
Out of Print -
Pirates of the Storm
ISBN
978 0 7496 9440 1
Published By
Franklin Watts
Status
In Print
Copyright © 2009 AuthorHotline. All rights reserved