by Fiona Foden
What's the hardest thing about writing books?
Just keeping going, really! It’s a long process, but you have to keep pushing on and telling the story, rather than spending too much time trying to make it all perfect. I prefer to write the whole book quickly, on my laptop, and then I go back and improve it.
What were your favourite (and least favourite) subjects at school?
I loved art and English. I’m interested in history now, but at school I found it dull and baffling, perhaps because our teacher was terrifying. Physics and chemistry were totally mysterious to me – I didn’t click with them at all. Oh, and I was never picked for the netball or hockey teams. Although I enjoy running now, especially with my dog, I was a complete embarrassment when it came to team sports.
If you weren't a writer, what would you be?
From age thirteen I wanted to work on a teenage magazine, which did happen for me. But at the time I thought it was a silly dream, and decided I wanted to illustrate children’s books. I applied for art college but didn’t get in – and instead of doing sixth year at school, and trying again, I got the magazine job instead. I still enjoy drawing but I’m not very good. My sixteen-year-old son Sam is far better than I could ever hope to be!
Truth or dare?
I’ll tell you a truth – or rather, a sort of confession. I once worked on a TV magazine which was filled with interviews with all the TV stars of the day. And, because I lived on my boat, I didn’t actually have a TV. I just had to pretend I knew what was going on, and that I was completely in touch with all the programmes when, really, I didn’t have a clue...
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First published in the UK by Scholastic Ltd, 2013
This electronic edition published by Scholastic Ltd, 2014
Text copyright © Fiona Foden, 2013
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eISBN 978 1407 14673 7
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