Hey! If you’re doing Readathon at your school – High Five!

Interview with Mark Lowery, author of Charlie and Me, by Sophie Land age 11

Sophie: I found Charlie and Me funny inspiring and sad – all at the same time – how did you manage to make it all these things?

Mark: Thank you! I’m glad you liked it. It was very strange – the story kind of wrote itself. When the idea popped into my head I pretty much knew everything about it. That’s never happened before, trust me! Really, I think that having Charlie as a character is what enabled that to happen – you don’t know whether to laugh with him or give him a cuddle because you feel sorry for him!

Sophie: Who is the ‘me’ in the title (Martin)? Is it ‘you’?

Mark: Hmmm. Great question. If I’d had a little brother, I’d like to think I could be as supportive, kind and understanding as Martin. I probably wouldn’t have been though I’m afraid!

Sophie: What inspired you to write a book like this?

Mark: Well, weirdly enough, I got the idea after eating a rather unpleasant curry! I was suffering with terrible bellyache and couldn’t sleep. At about 2am, this strange waking dream appeared in my brain – two boys standing at a harbour, watching a dolphin at sunset. Immediately I grabbed my phone and wrote the poem that appears at the start of the book, as well as a brief synopsis of the story. So, if you need inspiration, order a Lamb Jalfrezi!

Sophie: I like the descriptions of Cornwall- the white beaches and blue sea and that it was so calm you could almost hear the rays of the sun..I think the nice thing about books is that you can see places you – where else would you like to write about?

Mark: Yes – the South-West was where we used to go on holiday. I love it – in parts it’s rugged and wild and beautiful, and the way it sticks out gives it this unique separateness from the rest of the country. I like normal places, and finding the strange, funny or interesting stories within them. At the moment I’m writing a book about chip shops!

Sophie: What made you want to become a writer and how old were you when you first knew you wanted to write?

Mark: I’ve always wanted to write. It was the only thing that kept me quiet at school! I started taking it seriously when I became a teacher, and found myself constantly writing stories and plays for the children in my class.

Sophie: I really liked the surprise near the end – I won’t do a spoiler but how did you learn to become such a good writer?

Mark: Thank you! I don’t know about that but I always think that if you want to improve as a writer, you need to read A LOT. The great thing is that you can learn from the best – Louis Sachar, Phillip Pullman, Andy Mulligan, David Almond and millions of others – just by reading their books. And also you’ve got to write a lot as well: practice might not make perfect but it definitely helps you to think about your style and how to make things better.

Interview with Rory Branagan author Andrew Clover by Toby Ringland age 7

Toby: How did you have the idea for Rory Branagan – a boy who becomes a detective?

Rory: I got chicken pox when I was seven, and spent two glorious weeks reading The Secret Seven, and always wanted to write about a child who becomes a detective, but wanted the stories to be faster and funnier with real crimes and tough kids (not just posh Secret Seven kids who mainly drink lemonade in sheds).

Toby: Is he like a real person you know?

Rory: When I wrote it, he seemed so real, I really felt I knew him. Only afterwards did I remember my childhood best friend was a Dublin boy, who’d been adopted. He was amazing, but no one is exactly like Rory. I have some of his wild imagination and sense of FURY when things go wrong.

Toby: I would like to become a detective like Rory Branagan – would you like to be one or would you rather stay an author?

Rory: I passionately believe everyone would find life more exciting, if they were detectives. You must be curious, must find things out, must be BRAVE. I’d LOVE to be a proper detective, but also notice there is real detectiving all the time. I just tracked down an old school friend who’d disappeared.That was exciting. Plus you need to be a detective every time your mum says: ‘I can’t find my keys’. You need to work out where Mum came in the house, remembering how she tripped on a dog bowl…

Toby: The bit about unicorns in book two – The Dog Squad – made me laugh out loud.Your books are really funny! Have you always been funny?

Rory: I’ve always loved a laugh, and have learned more from being a comedian. I do loads of shows in schools. They are often wild, and I learn loads about what kids care about.

Toby: I love looking at pictures when I am reading a story – do you tell Ralph Lazar who draws the pictures what to draw, or does he give you ideas?

Rory: Yes, pictures make the books so much more welcoming. I also love Ralph, as well as his pictures, and when I’m writing, I’m always thinking of the things he loves to draw. He loves maps, and fantasy landscapes. Whenever I make Rory imagine a map, that’s like giving Ralph a treat.

Toby: I’ve read books one and two and can’t wait for the next one – when is it coming out?

Rory: Soon! 6th September. I just got my copy, and I think it’s the funniest, fastest yet.

Toby: I have only just started reading books by myself and your books make me want to read more – have you got any advice for people like me when they are choosing which books to read?

Rory: The great thing about reading is you MUST find what you like, yourself. You explore. It teaches you what you like, and what you write. I’m only just exploring detective books myself. I find Agatha Christie boring, but LOVE Raymond Chandler, and it teaches me I prefer a brave detective who gets into danger, rather than a clever one, who seems to be solving a maths puzzle…I love fun and fantasy! Perhaps you’re the same!

Interview with Liz Pichon by Superfan Zach Smith age 10

Zach: What book got you into reading when you were a child (for me, it’s been Tom Gates!)?

Liz: I loved The Twits by Roald Dahl and I was very keen on comics. The Beano was a favourite.

Zach: Is Tom Gates based on a real-life child? How did you come up with his name?

Liz: Tom is based on ME. I was very like him in some ways – I liked doodling too. I drew lots of pictures and he just looked like a Tom.

Zach: Tom tries to annoy Delia, but she’s just rude. My big brother is annoying and also rude, do you have any tips on big brothers?

Liz: Any tips on Big Brothers? Mmmm try doing the caramel wafer trick on him – it will drive him crazy! (It works with Club biscuits too).

Zach: Do you think you’re better at writing or drawing?

Liz: I think I’m still learning how to do both to be honest. For me the words and pictures go together – but I’ve been drawing more than I’ve been writing.

Zach: Did you have a good education?

Liz: I loved primary school – it was lots of fun – secondary school was tricky, but going to Art School was amazing I loved nearly all my time there.

Zach: I’ve just run a Readathon and really enjoyed being a Readathon ambassador for my school. Do you have any messages for children running Readathon?

Liz: YES! Well done to all of you taking part in READATHON. It’s so important to read anything you enjoy so keep it up!

Liz is the author of the bestselling TOM GATES series for 9+ readers, which has sold 2,000,000 books in the UK. It has been translated into 43 languages and has sold over 4 million copies around the world. Tom Gates: Biscuits, Bands and Very Big Plans is out now (published by Scholastic).