Tomorrow (15th August), The Stealth of Caledon is released in paperback. I’m meeting this with mixed feelings – excitement and apprehension. I suppose there is nothing unusual about this, but it marks a very significant step for me, and I’m nervous about taking it. The step is that this is the first historical fiction book I’ve published since The Year We Lived … That was more than four years ago, and I’m not sure I can remember now how to do it all! The Caledon trailer watch it with sound and you won't be disappointed! But there is something else about my Caledon series which makes it particularly difficult: it’s historical fantasy. To me, historical fantasy is about the best genre there could be. I love the past and I love speculative fiction. But it’s so difficult to find readers who can connect with your own version of the past. In a moment of ambitious optimism, I agreed to publish one Caledon book every August (there are six in total), but the first book is the one of my bo...
It's weekend again! That means it's time for another Positively Weekend post! Let's be positive about the writing and publishing world. Today, I'm talking about why I love to write for younger readers, in particular 10-12 year olds. 1) Imagination Kids have a greater imagination than most adults. Yes, they perhaps can't show it as eloquently as mature people can. Yes, adults don't always understand what kids are trying to say. But their imagination is lively and unique. An adult sometimes gets upset if a child draws a picture of a battle, but more often than not this is just a story that is playing out in a child's mind. Writing for kids is so rewarding because they add their own imagination to the story. 2) Uncomplicated To make a good children's book, you need an engaging plot and believable characters. The ethical themes and unusual dialogue is what will engage the parents and teachers, but children really only care about an entertaining story. Thi...