1. I have been told you compose at least some of your novels by dictation. Is that true, and if so have you begun to use voice to screen software?
No, and never.
[Ed. So much for insider information!]
2.You are very prolific. Do you work on more than one book at a time?
Only one book at a time. I write the first draft as a stream-of-consciousness. Maybe that's what makes me prolific.
3. How long does the average children's novel take to comlplete?
30,000 words takes 3 weeks.
4. Do you undertake any form of research before writing? (Several of your titles contain acknowledgements suggesting that you do.)
Only my own concepts.
5. What is your writing routine? Do you keep office hours?
7am -- 2pm
6. Your strength is in writing scenes of emotional conflict. Is this an element which you consciously include in your books, or does it simply arise in the course of writing?
I'm often in emotional conflict myself. It's part of me.
7. How do you correct mistakes?
By other people pointing them out.
8. Your output suggests you are never short of ideas. How do you store thoughts for future development?
I never consciously store thoughts but have a very full night and day-dreams life.
9. How do the drama workshops which are such a memorable feature of your author visits relate to your fiction>
They talk confiedence and adventure, the two most essentially important ingredient to writing.
10. My personal favourite Anthony Masters title is Badger. DO you agree that this is one of your best books? What is your own favourite?
Badger was my first children's book and I'm very fond of it. My favourite is Wicked, just out from Orchard.
11. Tell us something about that title, and the new series from Bloomsbury.
The central characters in Wicked lead ordinary enough lives. In Weird World things happen that are just a little bit weird... 'Weird World' is a new paranormal series.
12. What is your profile in the States? In which overseas country are you most popular?
I'm working on it! Outside of the UK, I'm most popular in Spain.
13. Do you read contemporary children's fiction yourself, and if you do which authors do you admire?
Jan Mark and Gillian Cross.
14. Finally, what is good and what is bad about children's publishing in the UK today?
There are too many titles. The best things about children's publishing in the UK are the new publicity companies who want to bring a more dynamic accessibility and awareness to children's books - and are committed to chasing the revelant readers.
Anthony Masters will answer supplemetary questions at the end of the
month.
To have your question considered for selection post it to the ACHUKA e-mail
address.
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