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?
Goody two-shoes; everyone's friend!
Q: What did you want to be when you were a child?
An author and illustrator and a ballerina in my spare time.
Q: What makes you cringe?
Catching a glimpse of myself in a mirror when I walk through a store.
Q: What are you afraid of?
Deep, dark, murky sea and anything bad happening to my family.
Q: When did you last have a really good laugh?
Today. (You had to be there).
Q: What is your most treasured possession?
My three cats - although can they be classed as possessions?
Q: What do you do as a hobby?
My work is my hobby as well! Drawing, painting, reading, researching and writing.
Q: What’s your favourite food?
Cheese and tomatoes.
Q: What do you day dream about?
Having a bigger house with lots more rescued animals.
Q: What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?
Doctor - a really good one of course, saving lots of lives. Or a vet - but I'd get too emotional.
Q: Do you feel younger or older than your current age?
Younger.
Q: If you could meet one person, dead or alive, who would it be?
Jane Austen, Balenciaga or Caravaggio - sorry, that's three.
Q: What quality do you most admire in a person?
Honesty, kindness and sense of humour - sorry, that's three too.
Q: What is the most interesting place you have ever visited?
Florence in Italy.
Q: What is the best advice anyone has ever given you?
When I was at secondary school, a teacher told us to always work in noise because, he said, we'll rarely work in silence throughout our lives. I can work anywhere now; noise doesn't stop my concentration. (But remember, you have to complete your homework thoroughly wherever you do it)!
Q: What would you most like to change about yourself?
Hmm. How long have we got?
Q: What has life taught you?
Be positive and try to help others.
Q: How long have you been a writer?
A long time. I used to work in advertising writing ads, then I wrote stories. My first non-fiction books were published in 1997.
Q: Was there a specific moment in your life when you decide to become a writer?
When I first learned to read.
Q: Where do you do your writing?
In my studio in the roof. It's got four big windows so light pours through and all my books and art materials are around me.
Q: What are the best and worst things about being an author?
Best: 1. Lovely emails from all sorts of people I've never met before who like my books. 2. Being able to choose when I work - through the night if I want. Worst: Urgent deadlines that always come on top of each other so I have to work all day and night to get everything finished in time.
Q: Where do you get your greatest ideas from?
Looking at art and watching and talking to people.
Q: What do you do to combat “writers’ block”?
It doesn't happen, it's my job so I just keep writing - but then I do illustrate as well, so the change probably helps.
Q: What was your favourite book as a child?
Can't choose one! Noel Streatfield's Ballet Shoes; Frances Hodgson Burnett's A Little Princess; Joanna Spry's Heidi and just about every book by Enid Blyton.
Q: What book do you wish you had written?
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Q: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
If you want to write, just do it, as the more you write, the better you get at it. Once you've written something, put it aside for a week or so, then read it again. Any bits that need changing should pop out at you.
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ISBN
1843303817
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Status
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1844483746
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1846965012
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ISBN
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ISBN
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ISBN
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ISBN
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