Download photo
(PDF, 357 KB)
Jacqueline Wilson
Biography
Jacqueline Wilson wrote her first novel when she was nine. She worked at a publishing company and was a magazine journalist before turning to writing fiction full-time. She has won many of the U.K.'s top awards for children's books, including the Guardian Children's Fiction Award and the Children's Book of the Year. She was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen's Birthday Honours list in the Golden Jubilee Year (2002) and is the current U.K. Children's Laureate (2005-2007). Her latest book is Candyfloss (Roaring Brook, 2007).
The Scoop
1. What sparked your imagination for Candyfloss?
A father queued up at one of my book signings to get his daughter's book signed. He said she liked to curl up in the back of his chip van (selling French fries!) and read my books while Dad worked his evening shift. I thought this sounded so sweet – so I decided to write a story about a little girl in similar circumstances. I chose a fairground setting for the latter part of the book because I love fairs – especially carousels, like Floss!
The story is about three kids, very similar to my own three children, each blessed with a special "gift." At the time I wrote The Magic Cane, my daughter was into mermaids, so her equal in the story has the power of Water. My sons were fascinated with Pokemon, Naruto and Inuyasha, so I gave one of the boys the power of Fire and the other one the power of the Wind…soon, they all got into the story and started contributing to the plot. Then the fights became about who could have more input!
2. What challenges do you face in the writing process and how do you overcome them?
I write quite easily and fluently and I don't have to be in my own study. I often write parts of my stories on trains traveling to different events. However, I *always* worry whether the story is working or not, and frequently lose confidence – but I manage to battle on to the end.
3. What tips or advice can you share with students who hope to start writing?
I would *read* lots – not to steal ideas, simply to stimulate the imagination, increase vocabulary and see how other writers create their stories.
4. Do you have a fun writing topic to get students started?
I get children to write an advert for themselves – one glowing account, exaggerating every virtue – and one brutal pessimistic account, stressing every bad point. It's fun reading them out. I take part, of course, and I always try to make the teachers join in too.
5. If you were not writing, what do you think you would be doing?
I'd be *reading* – and I'd run my own used-book store.
6. What is your advice to parents for passing the joys of reading on to their children?
I think parents should read aloud to their children right from when they're babies.
7. How do you decide on themes for your books?
I think of the characters first – and when I know what my fictional children are like, I can work out which theme suits them the most.
8. How important is research in the development of your books? Can you explain the process as well?
I like to *imagine* things rather than spend time doing a lot of detailed research – but I always check my facts afterwards.
9. Can you tell us about being the UK's Children's Laureate?
I very much enjoyed my time as the UK Children's Laureate. I met many thousands of children, spoke at a large number of events, launched a successful read aloud campaign and initiated a traveling exhibition of authors' and illustrators' work. I also got to meet the Queen and introduce her to my fellow authors at her 80th Birthday Party at Buckingham Palace.
Book Covers
Candyfloss |
|
|
|
|
Last Updated: 08/26/2008