Where does your inspiration come from? This is the most popular question I get asked when I visit schools. Actually that’s not true. The most popular question is this: Where did you get your night vision goggles and grappling hooks from? Just to explain, I turn up at schools dressed as a cat burglar. Please […]
Characters can come alive with great dialogue. They can jump off the page, surprise you, make you laugh or make you cry. And it’s so much fun to write. Through what your characters say, their personalities shine through. Let me show you what I mean. Imagine a teacher asking the class if they have done […]
When I’m in the midst of writing a book, I’m a little odd. (Actually people who know me might say I’m a little odd all the time!!) I go to sleep with the story whirring around my head and then wake up at… Yes – I know. It’s a ridiculous time to get up. But […]
Have you ever been writing a story when suddenly your ideas seem to vanish into thin air? Only a short while ago the words were flowing, but now your creative brain seems blanker then a blank page. It’s like it’s gone on strike. This has happened to me many times, but I’m going to let […]
Compassion is possibly one of the most admirable qualities a human can have. It means that you care about other people’s feelings. You have empathy, can be selfless and want to help. In todays world where selfies are all the rage and reality TV programmes are all about ‘me, me me’, you could think that […]
People often talk about the importance of great opening lines in books. And of course they’re important. They draw the reader in – give a flavour of what’s to come. But what about the last line of the book? Surely that is just as important. For these are the very last words we read. They […]
Two weeks ago, I started a brand new book. I planned it all out on post-it notes scattered about my writing room and I couldn’t wait to begin. Well obviously I had to make a cup of tea first. Then I switched on the computer, hit new page and my fingers hovered over the keyboard. […]
Children’s literature is rich with so many delicious character names. With the very best ones, your eyes widen, your ears prick up and your tongue wraps around the words. Merely seeing the names, helps you visualise the characters or imagine their personalities. Cruella de Vil from The Hundred and One Dalmatians must be one of […]
Hi there. This was originally posted on the fabulous blog: Girls Heart Books. It’s a blog aimed at girls aged 8-14, where wonderful authors write everyday about their books, their lives and much, much more. There are often competitions too! If you love reading, then I really recommend you check it out. Girls Heart Books This post has been adapted a […]
