FAQ
I’ve been sent lots of fantastic questions by readers to learn a little more about me. Here’s a selection of them. If you have a question, pop it into the ‘contact me’ form and I shall try my best to answer it!
What's your favourite food?
This is a tricky one because it very much depends on my mood! I love olives and would put them on everything savoury if I could. Halloumi goes well with olives, and I love that too. Fajitas have to be one of my favourite meals. They’re scrumptious! Crisps though… well, they are pretty much perfect, especially Salt and Vinegar flavour.
What is your favourite childhood book?
I absolutely loved The Worst Witch series by Jill Murphy, and I still adore them today. This was the first main character I’d read that wasn’t perfect. Mildred Hubble is funny, loyal, chaotic and clumsy. If you have not yet read these books, please give them a try. They are simply wonderful!
What do you do in your free time?
I have a dog so go on lots of dog walks even in the pouring rain. Walking is also great for writing as for some reason lots of ideas or plot points seem to strike whilst outside amongst nature. I enjoy reading and when the weather is nice, I like taking my book outside in the garden and reading whilst my dog lays in the sunshine beside me. I enjoy watching films, going to theme parks, seeing friends and family, and listening to music too.
How did you come up with the idea for Clara?
I wanted to write a story about Nick Claus when Clara pushed her way into my mind and told me her story instead. She came fully formed in my head and the story evolved from there. I love it when characters take the story into their own hands, it’s one of the most exciting things about the writing process.
How did you come up with all the wonderful characters?
First of all, thank you, that’s a lovely thing to say. Writing characters is my favourite thing! Sometimes a character will just come to me, other times I have to try different characters before I find the right one to tell a particular story. Clara told me her story herself and its wonderful when that happens. I find choosing the right name can help solidify a character’s personality and often take my time selecting the perfect name for a character. I work hard on the characters and take a while to get to know them which usually comes through writing and re-writing elements of the story with them in mind. The more I explore how a character will react, the better I get to know them. Coming up with characters takes time but our imagination is a wonderful thing.
Do you feel proud after you finish writing?
What a wonderful question! I do feel proud. I think it’s important to recognised when you’ve achieved something and writing a book from start to finish is a fantastic achievement. We should always celebrate the things we have done be it scoring a goal or passing a dance exam. Maybe trying new food is a big thing for you or managing to speak in front of lots of other people. Even finishing reading a book is a huge accomplishment. It’s important to recognise all the little wonderful things we do. What are you proud of?
How do you come up with your ideas?
Ideas can come from anywhere. Sometimes I get ideas in the middle of the night, so I write a few notes on my phone instead of going back to sleep. I get ideas when out walking or eating dinner. Sometimes during a film or whilst reading a book. The story I’m currently working on came from a conversation I had with my agent. Ideas can come out of nowhere! I have a notebook where I put all my ideas but usually if an idea won’t leave me alone, that’s the one I start writing.
What inspired you to write and why did you become an author?
I always loved reading and writing ever since I was little. I would make up stories all the time and write them down. When I was a little older and in secondary school, I discovered acting and instead of writing stories I found I enjoyed being in them. That was when I decided to become an actress. I travelled around different theatres across the country performing plays and I absolutely loved it. Going on stage was terrifying but exhilarating at the same time. When I had my daughter, I didn’t want to tour anymore and spend nights away from her, so I stopped acting and went back to writing instead. I was able to create any story I wanted and be all the characters instead of just limiting myself to the part I was given. I could choose what each character did, and I thrived on the freedom it gave me. Plus, I got to go on adventures whilst not going anywhere!
What was your favourite subject at school?
Without a doubt English. I’ve always loved reading and writing. When I started secondary school, I fell in love with Drama too. I’m still on contact with my Drama teacher today and she’s even read my books!
Do you like chocolate?
Yes! I particularly love orange flavoured chocolate. Have you ever had chocolate orange with popping candy in it? It’s the best! I like sweets too though especially Squashies bubble gum flavour. They’re yummy.
How do you come up with the character names?
This is one of the hardest parts of the writing process for me because the name has to be absolutely perfect for each character. If it isn’t, it means that I don’t know the character well enough and so I cannot write for them properly. Clara’s name came to me straight away, but it took me a little while to come up with the reindeers’ names. Sometimes I write down lots of words or names that I might think are suitable and then I choose the one I think suits the character the most. The right character name can really shape a story for me.
What's your favourite colour?
Yellow has been my favourite colour ever since I was little. It’s so bright and happy that it brings joy whenever I see it. Recently purple has crept in as a favourite too. I love the warmth it brings and the decadence.
Which Clara book is best?
They are both special in their own way so it’s impossible for me to choose. Why not read them both and decide for yourself?
Do you get inspired by your daughter
What a great question Georgia! My daughter inspires me every day. Inspiration can come from anywhere. A word that’s someone says can spark an idea. Nature inspires me greatly as do the people around me. I work with children too and believe me when I tell you, you are all special and wonderful in your own way. That’s something I feel is important to include in every story I write.
Who helped you on your journey to become a writer?
That’s a very thoughtful question Emilie. I wouldn’t be where I am today without my family’s support and belief in me. Ultimately, I had to believe in myself though so that I didn’t give up and they certainly helped me with that. My agent, Helen Boyle, has encouraged me and helped me see my potential. She’s wonderful!
Why did you choose to write children's books and not adult ones?
I love the freedom of writing for children. I don’t have to be a fantasy author of a comedic one because children’s books usually cover many different styles! I can be all the types of authors I want to be all in one book! I also think children’s books are some one the most important books we can write. There will be no adult readers if we can’t get children reading.
Why do you like tea so much?
Ha! Another great question Georgia! I just do!! No seriously, drinking tea helps me focus. It’s a warm comforting hug in a huge Disney mug (I love Disney mugs!).
Why did you become an author?
I always loved reading and writing ever since I was little. I would make up stories all the time and write them down. When I was a little older and in secondary school, I discovered acting and instead of writing stories I found I enjoyed being in them. That was when I decided to become an actress. I travelled around different theatres across the country performing plays and I absolutely loved it. Going on stage was terrifying but exhilarating at the same time. When I had my daughter, I didn’t want to tour anymore and spend nights away from her, so I stopped acting and went back to writing instead. I was able to create any story I wanted and be all the characters instead of just limiting myself to the part I was given. I could choose what each character did, and I thrived on the freedom it gave me. Plus, I got to go on adventures whilst not going anywhere!
Who is your favourite character from Clara Claus Saves Christmas
Don’t make me choose my favourite character!!! That’s mean! Honestly, I love all of them. I am find of a list so I guess I would say Nick Claus but Clara is so absolutely fearless, I wish I was more like her.
What do you like best about being an author?
Creating a story from a blank page. All the characters, what they do and where they live is entirely of my creation and that’s incredible. The sense of achievement I get from writing is enormous especially when I hear that my books have helped children love reading or begin writing. It’s a wonderful thing.
When you write your books do you get transported into them?
What a great question Annabel! I absolutely do! Sometimes I am drained after a long writing session because I’ve transported myself completely to another place. I think that’s why writing was the next step from acting for me. It’s important to be able to visualise everything so that I can describe it to the reader. I put myself in the story.