My career as a full time children's writer was never something I planned.
I started to write after joining a creative writing class. In one lesson, after having no success with article writing or short story fiction, our class tutor handed out copies of Twinkle, a girl's comic, and told us to write a children's story and send it in. I did, and couldn't have been more amazed when it was accepted for publication! Things incredibly snowballed from there and I have now written over 40 books - and counting! Incidentally, I still attend the same writing class 14 years later - and we have become a big happy family of writers - it's very supportive!
I've had many jobs in the past - I've worked at Harrods as a trainee buyer, the BBC as a secretary (my first job at 16 after leaving school, and I look back and pity my boss as I couldn't even make a successful cup of tea or coffee - I remember he used the coffee machine instead of me). I have been a dental nurse (that didn't last long and didn't cure my fear of dentists!). I also worked for many years at a printing/reprographic company, so I'm well used to tight printing deadlines! However, writing gives me the most pleasure - it's wonderful to be able to create a world for young children to enjoy, whether it be educational, moral, problem solving or just entertaining. It's also great fun to see the first picture roughs as wonderful illustrators bring the text to life.
I've been so overwhelmed with the success of Aliens Love Underpants and Dinosaurs Love Underpants was great fun to write as well. Ben Cort has done a brilliant job of illustrating them both and I couldn't imagine any other illustrator now!
P.S: The latest in the series, Aliens Save the World is on its way so watch out!
