The next big thing

I was tagged by the gorgeous Rowan Coleman to answer these questions. I’m a bit wary since I’m still writing the book and no one really knows much about it, but I’ll do my best… (and I’ve included some pretty photos of trees – taken by me – to liven things up). 

• What is the working title of your next book?

Lilly’s Wish. Not a very exciting title, but I’m rubbish at titles, and it’ll do to be going on with.

• Where did the idea come from for the book?

I can’t remember. I know I was thinking about wishes, but the rest of it – the bit I can’t really say – came out of nowhere. Or rather the same mysterious place ideas always come from…

• What genre does your book fall under?

Magical realism for 9-12? Although I’m not sure if that’s really a genre…

What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?

Blimey. I’ve no idea. I’ve got a really clear picture of Lilly in my head and I feel like I know the actress who should play her, but I just can’t grab it. Small. Dark hair. Cute. Oh actually, I just realised I’m thinking of a little girl I used to babysit, not an actress at all. She must be about 25 now though, so she can’t play her. I’ll have to keep thinking…

• What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?

I can’t say! ‘Be careful what you wish for’ is sort of a clue, I suppose.

• Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

I don’t know yet. I’m out of contract at the moment and I haven’t finished it, so it’s all open right now.

• How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

I haven’t finished it! I’m just over halfway through and stuck in my usual ‘wanting to write – putting off writing – writing and loving it – putting off writing’ cycle. And no, knowing that I do this every single time doesn’t seem to help me stop. Gah.

• What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I can’t think of any within my genre, but since I started writing it, I keep thinking about Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen. I’d love it if I could make it even a squillionth as magical as that book.

• Who or what inspired you to write this book?

It was partly inspired by the Year 6 class in Harry’s old school. Once I had the idea, I went in to the school to talk to the students about it and they were all kind enough to share their wishes with me – written on luggage tags, which is what happens in the book – and some of them have inspired events in the story. They’re actually really gorgeous. Here’s just a few:

I wish that my Aunty Bill could come back alive. That’s what I would like to wish for.

I wish I could go in a shark cage.

I wish to be able to fly so I can grab my own star from the Northern sky.

I wish my arch-enemy got stung to death by bees!

• What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

There may be a talking dog…

My five writers for next Wednesday are:

Stephanie Burgis
Luisa Plaja
Sophia Bennett
Clodagh Murphy
Keren David

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