Question and Answer

I was approached by a student on The University of South Wales's Creative Writing degree course who wanted to interview an author for an assignment she had to submit.  The student was especially interested in Petrify, my book written for children with reading difficulties/short attention span.  Below are the answers I provided to her questions:

What age group do you prefer to write for?

I’m actually quite eclectic when it comes to the age range I write for.  My youngest age group to date is 8+.  In fact, I’ve just finished writing a book called Dicing with Death for A&C Black’s Black Cats series which is aimed at this age group.  At the other end of my age range is my award winning novel Future Shadows.  The spectrum can always be widened however!  I currently have a proposal out for a series pitched at 5 – 8 year olds and am a third of the way through an ‘adult’ novel called New Horizons.

 

Why this chosen age group?

I match the age group to the story.  The story comes first, the age group second.  In fact, in the past I’ve had arguments with publishers over which age group suits the manuscript I’ve submitted.  This doesn’t happen very often though – I’m quite compliant as an author!  It should also be said that I’ve written some pretty scary stories aimed at younger children that I’d prefer my sons not to get their hands on!

 Why did you write a book (Petrify) especially for people with learning difficulties?

I was approached by my agent and asked to submit a proposal to A&C Black who were launching a series of books for readers whose chronological age was above their reading age.  It was important therefore not to patronise the readers with the content and ‘voice’ whilst at the same time making sure the narrative was accessible.  I wrote the book because I am passionate about SpLDs and work in the field as my ‘other job’.  I’d love to see more books out there pitched at children whose reading skills are not as developed as they would like them to be.  Similarly, I’d like to see far more books aimed at reluctant readers – often boys – to persuade them that reading can be more fun than computer games – honest!

 

Have you any intention of writing any more?

Yes please! 

 Who is your most favourite author and why?

I don’t really have a favourite author, more, favourite books. I find the moment I decide upon a 'favourite'  author I’m often disappointed by his/her next book.  This is possibly says more about my increased expectations than it does about the author.  That said, I always buy and usually enjoy anything written by Elizabeth Chadwick, Sharon Penman and Terry Pratchett and there are many authors I stumble across whose writing skills I admire.  I’ve just finished Jodie Picoult’s Lone Wolf and was totally gripped by her narrative style.

Which children’s author would you inspire to be like?

Roald Dahl (who it is thought had dyslexia) had the most incredible talent for creating amazing worlds filled with weird and wonderful characters that could transfix any child.  I’d love to be able to have a fraction of his talent.  He could just lose himself in his imaginary worlds and write in a way that might at first appears silly but is in reality genius.  I think that David Walliams is the most modern equivalent and, again, I really admire his ability to be unashamedly ‘silly’ in a way that appeals to all children.   You can only achieve this level of writing when you’re really comfortable in your own skin, I think, so I’ve maybe got some way to go!

 Out of all your works which is your ultimate favourite and why?

It has to be Future Shadows which won last year’s Piatkus competition.  Unfortunately I didn’t feel Piatkus Entice was quite the right home for Future Shadows which, as yet, remains unpublished.  It was the hardest decision I’ve ever made to turn down the book deal and I hope it’s not one I’ll end up regretting.  I guess I could always explore Kindle as an avenue!