Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Are You Working On Now?

My new novel is slowly taking shape. I think I am about half-way through, but things can come up to surprise you when you're writing a book, I find. Like I may decide I don't like part of it and have to start that all over...or that I need to add a character, or get rid of a character...who knows? In a way, every book is a mystery book to the writer, as mysterious things that you didn't plan on happening can suddenly crop up!

2. How do you get your ideas?

I get my ideas from all the kids around me - my own children, my nieces and nephews, the children I teach and sometimes kids at author readings. I am also inspired by memories of my own childhood, which was quite a while ago now, but doesn't seem that long at all! For me, there is nothing as powerful to write about as a personal experience.

Visit this page for more details about the ideas behind each of my books.

3. Which book is your favourite?

Often my latest book is my favourite. It's fun to read the new story to audiences, as I've read many of my stories so many times that I hardly need the books anymore! Also, I hope I'm becoming a better and better writer as I keep at it, so I hope each new book is a little better than the last one.

That said, Number 21 is a special favourite because it is about my real family when I was a girl. My Dad did most of the work on that one, I just wrote it all down many years later.

3. Do you get to choose your own illustrators?

I can certainly make suggestions about the illustrator, but in the end the editor decides on the illustrator. I get to see at least some of the art before the book is published, but mostly that part of the book is controlled by the illustrator, with some help from the editor.

I have always been very lucky with my illustrators - they've done a wonderful job. Clearly, they don't need my help at all!