Nathan -
The Author
Where do you get your ideas?
Everywhere! The only constant source of inspiration has been the things we get up to together as a family. When there are children around there’s always something silly or profound going on and rarely anything in between! Lots of these moments have made their way into my stories and they come frequently enough that I’ve based a whole series around family life. The trick is to be open to ideas, wherever they can be found. Whether it’s a brief snippet of overheard conversation or watching a rabbit hopping about in a field, lightening can strike at the drop of a hat and you just have to be ready to capture it.
How long does it take to write a picture book?
Not as long as it does to illustrate the bloomin’ thing I can tell you! Usually the idea for the story has been rattling around my head for a while before I bother picking up a pen and paper (yeah that’s right I still use a pen and paper!). After a few weeks/months/years bubbling away in the background of my brain, unconsciously working out the finer details, one day I’ll just feel like writing it. A sunny day and a bit of peace and quiet are often the things I need to prod me into action. At this point it doesn’t take very long, I’d say a few days on average, with my record being a whole story in one day. But it all starts with the idea and once you’ve fully fleshed it out you’re good to go!
What’s your favourite children’s book?
Tough question, but I can narrow it down to three favourites. When I was a boy I loved second hand book shops. I loved the smell of them (old and musty), the sense of mystery lurking between all of those covers (unless of course it was something boring like a Haynes Manual or a romance your Granny might enjoy!) and the overwhelming feeling of being utterly SURROUNDED by books. When I was on holiday in Devon, I was bought three illustrated books from the 1960’s, Treasure Island, Robinson Crusoe and The Three Musketeers. I still have them now, here they are.
There is action, adventure and excitement spilling off of every page. There are bloodthirsty pirates, buried treasure, hungry cannibals and dashing heroes with very sharp swords wherever you look! In fact, the only dull moment in any of those stories arrives when you reach the words THE END, at which point I would simply return to the start and do it all over again!
When did you start writing stories?
I dabbled a bit when I was very young, but I can’t remember anything about them, which probably tells you all need to know! I think they were mostly copies of whatever I was into at the time, so I imagine that bloodthirsty pirates, buried treasure, hungry cannibals and dashing heroes with very sharp swords featured prominently!
I’ve always enjoyed reviewing films and music and that sort of thing, so I did a fair bit of that before I had children. And then my youngest daughter came along and as I read her picture book after picture book, I thought to myself, I think I could do that! My Friend Alan was the first of these.
How many stories have you written?
Quite a number now, more than 20 I’d say. I have a couple of different series that I occasionally add more too and also some one-offs. The important thing for me is that each new story needs a reason to exist. I never write anything just to say I’ve written something. I’m always trying to do something different, even within a series where certain elements are necessarily familiar. The ingredients might be pretty similar, but you can always come up with a new recipe for them. If it isn’t interesting to me as a writer, it certainly isn’t going to be interesting to a reader.
What do you enjoy about writing?
That’s easy! Making something from nothing. It’s the only magic trick I can do, taking a blank piece of paper and somehow filling it up with words. If I’m lucky sometimes they might even sound good together! Rather like Frankenstein with his monster, you’re basically bringing a story to life with every word that makes the journey from your head to the page, every fresh stroke of your pen represents a little more flesh on the bones. By the time I’ve fully emptied my brain of whatever happens to be on it and I’ve got a new story on my hands, my little monster is ready to leave home and toddle off on his own two legs!
How do you know if anyone will like your stories?
I don’t really, I only know that I like them and that’s as good a place as any to start from! In the words of Ricky Nelson and his marvellous song Garden Party, you can't please everyone, so you've got to please yourself.” That’s half the battle I think. I’m very lucky to have Annie here with me, along with our eight year daughter who’s an absolute beast when it comes to reading. I’ll show them my stuff once I’m happy with it and they’re not afraid to give me their full and frank opinion, which is mostly constructive and always kind.
How hard is it to be an author?
Easier than you might think. One definition of an author is a writer of a book, article, or document, so by putting pen to paper to write anything at all, you are the author of that work! All you need is a pen and paper and an idea of some sort. You’re probably already an author of something or other at school or in your job. And if you’re not and you’d like to be, what on earth are you waiting for?!
Have you ever wanted to illustrate your own stories?
Oh I can’t draw for toffee and I’m very envious of anyone who can. I’m lucky to have a wonderful artist living in the same house as me! I can see it all in my head and it looks great, I just can’t get the drawings from my head to the page like I can with the words. I do an odd little picture underneath each section of writing which Annie will then make a million times better with her super art skills. My drawings are famously peculiar and they get a lot of laughs from Poppy which is something at least and I do enjoy doing them, I’ve done all my stuff this way.
What’s it like working with Annie?
Terrific. I’m lucky to live in the same house as a very talented artist and also a great person. I can’t imagine working with anyone else, there’s no-one better suited to bringing my words to life. She’s lived with me long enough to know what I’m getting at without even asking, she’s not afraid to make suggestions if she thinks something can be improved upon and she brings lots of fantastic ideas of her own. She’s also not afraid to make her share of tea! Annie is very inspiring to be around. Without her (and Poppy) there wouldn’t be a My Friend Alan, or any of the other stories I’ve done featuring the two of them.
5 tips for a writer
1. Be open to ideas, they can often be found in the most unlikely places and as a writer you’re nothing without them!
2. Perseverance. If at first you don’t succeed…
3. Understand what success means to you. For me, a success is first and foremost about producing something I can be proud of. Anything else is a lovely bonus.
4. Don’t be afraid of failure. If you try something and it doesn’t work out, there’s always another angle to approach at it from. Eventually the right angle will present itself.
5. Remember it’s supposed to be fun - take it seriously, but not too seriously.