Which 3 writers, living or dead, would you invite to dinner?
Lee Weatherly and Linda Chapman. They're my best writing buddies. They keep me sane on a daily basis. Only they truly understand my madness.
What's your favourite writing snack?
A large mug of strong coffee and a Danish pastry.
Longhand or computer?
Computer to write. Initial ideas and notes on paper, usually in a notebook. I'm especially fond of Paperchase notebooks.
Win Booker prize or land Hollywood film deal?
Hollywood film deal. Definitely. I know, I'm shameless.
Tabloid or broadsheet?
Neither. I have 3 kids. On the rare occasion I have time to read a newspaper I do it on-line.
Independent bookshop or Amazon?
Both. Amazon is my vice. It's so easy. I'm always spontaneously buying books on-line. But I LOVE bookshops. They're the real deal.
Hacker or adder? (in terms of editing)
Both - it depends what I'm working on.
Plotter or panter? [ie do you plan out all your work first or write by the seat of your pants?]
Planner but with lots of flying by the seat of my pants, especially when my characters start talking back.
Leave on a cliffhanger or tell all?
Build to a climax then tell all. I HATE books that end of the edge of a cliff. I feel so cheated....
You really must read…
Saffy's Angel by Hilary McKay - it's one of my all time favourites. It's the comfort food of books. I've read it so many times and it still makes me howl with laughter. And I love the Cassons. I want to be their friend.
I get most excited by…
Spring and books and the first time I see the sea when I go on holiday, especially if that sea is Cornish.
If I wasn’t a writer I would be…
Really? OK, a solicitor. I would love to be Elle Woods in Legally Blonde.
Or a photographer specialising in animals and wildlife
An author should always…
Write regularly, read extensively and get out and experience life.
Julie Sykes is the award winning author of over 60 books for children. Her picture book creations include the loveable Little Tiger and the bumbling Santa. Julie also writes fiction using a variety of pen names. Her two latest series are The Fairy Bears and The Starlight Snowdogs, a magical book with an environmental theme.
6 comments:
Thank you Julie, very interesting responses...though I gotta tell you being a lawyer is nowt like the movies.
HB x
Great answers. I definitely fancy a Danish pastry now!
I particularly love the 'Really?' at the alternative job question....
Thanks so much for coming over to Strictly, Julie!
Thanks for coming over, Julie (this is written from Cornwall, in spring!) - I like that your chosen authors are living, and friends.
Susiex
Thanks for inviting me Caroline. It was good fun. And thanks to everyone for such nice comments.
Right, back to work now. I can hear the call of a Danish pastry.
Jx
I want to ask Julie more questions. 60 books? I'm always in awe of prolific writers. How do you do it? I know, I know it's unforgivable to ask where you get your ideas but where do you g-t y--r i---s?
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