Questions
These are the questions people often ask me:
- If you weren’t an author what would you be and why? I’ve done many jobs and this is the best – I wouldn’t want to do anything else. If I wasn’t a writer, I’d spend my time trying to be one.
- When you’re not working how do you like to spend your time? Reading; going to the cinema; drinking coffee and gossiping
- Who would you like to meet most- living or dead? Anybody from the sixteenth century, to tell me what it was really like; Nelson Mandela; an astronaut; and myself when I was about 20.
- What or who do you find inspirational? Other contemporary writers of historical fiction, such as Celia Rees; any music that moves me to tears when I’m writing a sad passage; the sun and the moon.
- Have you always written? When did you start? Why? No. I started writing about ten years ago, when my brother suddenly died. I thought it was time to feel really fulfilled.
- Did you like school? What was your favourite subject? I loved school. French was my favourite subject and I studied it at University.
- What are your 2 favourite children’s books (written by other people)? Apache by Tanya Landman; Tom’s Midnight Garden’by Philippa Pearce.
- What are you reading at the moment? My Sword Hand is Singing’by Marcus Sedgewick; The Silver Blade by Sally Gardner.
- Which children’s book would you have most liked to have written? Tom’s Midnight Garden.
- Which children’s book couldn’t you finish? I have to finish every book I start, even if I’m not enjoying it.
- Which 5 adjectives describe you most? Fair; friendly; punctual; single-minded; bossy
- What is your funniest secret? If my children quarrelled when they were small, I used to move the hands of the clock forward and say that it was time for bed.
- What fun things do you like doing? Blowing bubbles and standing on my head.