Any Questions?
Did you always want to be a writer?
Yes. Well, no... when I was about seven I wanted to be a shopkeeper. I knew exactly which shop I wanted - it was Mrs. Harrison’s at the top of Henton Road because she sold lots of sweets and penny ice lollies, (and I wanted a free supply for life.)
When I was fourteen I had a Saturday job in the one-room hairdresser’s at the top of our street and I quite fancied the idea of spending my life listening to all the intimate stories of women’s lives but one Saturday I got the sack. I still don’t know why. Maybe I left somebody under the dryer for too long.
So, when did you decide that you wanted to be a writer?
It was when I was doing ‘A’ Level English. We had to produce a folder of Creative Writing and I loved it so much that I told my parents I wanted to be a writer. My parents, being ever cautious, advised me to get a trade first so I qualified as a plumber. Only joking, I trained to be a teacher.
What was your favourite book when you were a child?
I liked reading comics more than books. I loved the Judy and The Bunty - especially the stories of the Four Marys with their arch rivals, Mabel and Veronica. I identified with the Four Marys so much that I desperately wanted to go to a boarding school, preferably St. Elmo’s.
What’s a normal writer’s day like?
I start writing at nine o’clock in the morning after the children have gone to school, working at the big table in the back room, overlooking the garden. I write my first draft in a notebook with a fountain pen and I try to write for about two hours like this. Then I have a break for a coffee and a piece of cake. I type up what I’ve written, print it off, read it aloud and start the process of editing and rewriting. In the afternoon, whilst I’m preparing the family meal, I’ll think about ideas for new stories.
Some days I’ll work in the local library, other days I visit schools, either for research or Author Visits. Once a month I meet up with a group of other children’s writers.
Where do you get your ideas from?
Everywhere. From my parents talking about their young lives in Ireland to things from my childhood. I also get ideas from listening to people’s conversations on the bus, what my children say to me and articles in the local paper - especially about the heroes and heroines of everyday life. I love walking, especially around the city and I often get inspiration there. The thing about being a writer is you never switch off from collecting ideas, settings and situations.
What do you do when you get stuck?>
I do something different. There are lost of jobs for a writer to do apart from thinking of stories. There’s a lot of rewriting and editing to be done and contacting editors and agents. Sometimes if I’m stuck, it’s because I’m tired so I’ll take a break and go for a walk or a bike ride.
Do you find it hard to write if you’re unhappy?
It’s hard to do any job if you’re unhappy and it’s really hard for children to concentrate at school if they’re feeling down. I try to write or talk about what’s making me feel this way and then get down to work. Some of my best writing has been done at a time when I haven’t been feeling on top of the world. After all, who wants to read about happy, smiley people who never have any problems? Where’s the story there?
How do you cope with being famous?
The easiest way to do this is to blend in with the crowd. I never travel anywhere in luxury cars or eat in exclusive restaurants or shop in posh designer stores.
Do you have any hobbies?
Reading, swimming, cooking, eating, talking, playing the accordion and helping on the allotment.
Do you have any pets?
We have a guard rabbit called Basil. He looks after the house for us when we’re not there and he has a brilliant way of deterring robbers. He chews through the cables for the computer and the tele and the DVD rendering this equipment useless. Isn’t that clever? I would dearly love some hens but so would the foxes who have a den close to our house.