About Me - FAQ

How I became a writer      Frequently asked questions      My blog

Who's the horse in the photo?
His name's Sampson and he's a Haflinger. He used to belong to a friend who let me ride him.

Have you got a horse of your own?
To my delight, I can finally answer 'yes' to this question. His name is Kubus and he's a Haflinger too so he looks just like Sampson. He's very sweet natured but rather strong to ride at the moment - not at all like a riding school pony.

How many books have you written?
About 35

How long does it take to write a book?
A Princess Ellie book usually takes 2 months including the thinking time. Picture books are quicker - they take about 2 weeks. But sometimes it takes much longer because I go wrong and have to start again.

Are you famous?
I don't know. I think my books are better known than I am.

Where do you get your ideas from?
Almost anything can trigger ideas - items in newspapers and on TV, things that have happened to me, things that have happened to other people. If I'm stuck, I go for a walk or read a book about creating plots to get me thinking. The best ideas often come when I'm not really trying. A few months ago, I had the best idea I'd ever had while I was having a shower, but I'd forgotten it by the time I got out!

Do you know any other authors?
Yes, lots. Children's authors are a very friendly bunch of people so we keep in touch with each other and get together when we get a chance. I often chat to Linda Chapman about horses because we're both pony-mad.

Are you going to write any more Princess Ellie books?
Princess Ellie's Secret Treasure Hunt is the last one for the time being. I needed a break after writing 12 books about Ellie, but I might write about her again in the future. I've even got a couple of new story ideas I'm thinking about.

Do you have any pets?
Only my horse and he doesn't really count as a pet because he doesn't live at home.

What are you writing now?
I've just finished writing a picture book, and I'm working on a new series about a girl called Amy. I've written six books so far and, if you're lucky, you might win the first two.
     I'm also playing with ideas for a new pony book about a girl called Sasha Brown. There's still lots more work to do on it, but I've written the first chapter and I know the book will be longer than the ones about Princess Ellie.

How I became a writer      Frequently asked questions      My blog

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