WHERE DID YOU GET THE IDEA TO WRITE SHORT STORIES?
I live in the beautiful walled city of Chester close to the border of Wales. It was founded as a Roman fortress in the 1st century AD. It is known for its walls, shopping rows, Tudor-style half-timber buildings and Roman amphitheatre. It has a lot of history and stories to tell. I like to read about the interesting landmarks which gives me the inspiration for my stories. I like to take the story and give it a twist.
HOW LONG DID IT TAKE TO WRITE YOUR FIRST NOVEL MARY DRAPER DREAMS OF CASTLES IN THE SKY?
The idea popped into my head in 2006. I started writing it and then took a break. When I finally decided to finish it, it took me about 6 years! It is not an easy task but I feel I know all my characters like they are real people!
IS AN IMP CALLED BOO REAL?
Yes! He is known as The Chester Imp and lives in Chester Cathedral. He is a stone calving and he is very hard to see, high up on the clerestory windows of the nave. The story is that a monk thought he saw the devil looking in through the window and told the abbot. The abbot had the carving made of a devil in chains to warn the devil he would be put in chains if he dared to return.
WHERE DID YOU GET THE IDEA FOR THE LITTLE BIG CLOCKMAKER?
I read a story once that many years ago tourist use to steal the hands from the Eastgate Clock so they had to put glass on its four faces to prevent this. This gave me the idea for Eagan Bagley, a clockmaker who becomes spellbound by an old gypsy who gives him magical powers. He plays havoc with time by removing and replacing the hands of the clock which meant he can stop and start time for real!
ARE ANY OF YOUR CHARACTERS BASED ON REAL PEOPLE?
No they are all fictional, but as an author I am always looking for ideas such as traits and funny things people say or do. I sometimes get ideas to use for my characters from people I know, meet or see. They may have said or done something funny or interesting. It's a good idea to keep a notebook so when this happens you can write it down and use it next time you are writing. It would be impossible to remember every awesome idea!
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE CHILDREN’S BOOK?
I loved reading Enid Blyton books and the ‘What Katy Did’ series by Susan Coolidge as a child which is a Penguin classic as well as my Mandy magazines! In later years I enjoy reading Harry Potter books and who doesn’t?!
WHO ARE YOUR FAVOURITE CHILDREN’S AUTHORS?
JK Rowling who is an inspiration to us all. A big favourite has to be Roald Dahl.
IS THE DOLL SHOP REAL IN THE BLESSINGTON DOLLS?
It exists as a toy and doll museum. It has a collection of dolls which were made between 1860-1950 and I believe it is has the largest collection of Matchbox model cars in the world! Passing this little building and seeing the dolls in the window gave me inspiration for the story. I had to also include Ye Old Kings Head across the road which is a very old pub built around 1208 and is believed to be haunted.
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