EVERYTHING YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW….
Wednesday 22nd August 2007
Reader Naomi Smith met and interviewed me at the recent Edinburgh Book Festival… find out what we talked about and ask some nosy questions of your own!
Naomi: You’re a really big author now, but if your books had never been published, what would you be doing?
Cathy: Teaching art, writing short stories, being an agony aunt and bringing up my kids in the Scottish countryside. I’d be dreaming of making it as a children’s author, though!
Naomi: Who is your fave character from the books and why?
Cathy: Mouse, definitely. I loved him in Dizzy, so lost and alone, and was determined to give him a happy ending in Lucky Star. I loved writing about Mouse and his talent for trouble… the world needs more boys like Mouse!
Naomi: What has been your worst job ever?
Cathy: Shredding up roast chickens in a BHS cafe to make chicken sandwiches when I was a teenager. I was a veggie – not good. I was also a spectacularly bad waitress….
Naomi: If you had a magical power, what would it be and why?
Cathy: I’d like to grant wishes… or maybe fly!
Naomi: What was your most embarrassing moment?
Cathy: Getting my swishy skirt trapped in the toilet door on the flight to Sri Lanka this spring. I was stuck, blocking the aisle, and the stewardesses couldn’t get the trolley past me… the whole plane was smirking. When the door opened again and I was released, there was a round of applause, but by then I was too embarrassed to go to the loo anyway!
Naomi: You’ve said you are quite a shy person, how do you overcome that to talk in front of loads at people, like at the Edinburgh Book Festival?
Cathy: I am shy, and I get REALLY nervous, but I’ve learnt that I can survive – and often people don’t even notice that I’m nervous! Shyness is a pain, but never, ever let it beat you… go for it!
Naomi: What’s the best thing about being an author?
Cathy: It’s a dream come true for me, and I get a real buzz from seeing my books in a shop, but the best thing ever is getting feedback from my readers and knowing that they love the stories as much as I love writing them.
OK, your turn now… if you’ve got a question for me, post it below… I’ll answer the best online!
i LOVE dizzy and im writing a book reveiw problem—can’t remember Dizzys lovers name!! he has dreadlocks please reply quick thank youu 🙂 <3 x
hi cathy your’e my fave author! i love reading your books they give me great insperation but am a rubbish writer.
i was wondering ifyou could give me a fab storyline.
thanks
immy
xxxx
Hi Cathy,
I love reading your books, you’re my favourite author and they never disappoint me! I really enjoy writing as well, and once I get a story line I can get completely stuck into it, but I just can’t seem to get an inspiration right now. I was wondering if you could help … ?
Thanks
Issie xx
In angel cake what gave the idea of a boy who always gets into trouble at school who can be so king to his mum and when he works in the cake shop.
Hey Cathy you are my favourite author of all time and i love reading your books!!! But I was just wondering if you have written an autobiography if you havent i would love it if you did!!! I am really looking forward to reading anymore books you write!!!
Lots of love from Michelle xxx
I would like to know what chocolate is your favourite because i need to know by the end of this week please because im doing a english project about you.
Hi Cathy! I absolutely love your books and Ginger Snaps is definately my favourite. What inspired you to create a book with such troubles that Ginger had? And what inspried you to make Shannons personality like that? You don’t meet many people like Shannon.
I absolutely luuuuuuuurve your books! I like them so much that I have ran out of books of your to read! Which chocolate box girl is next after Skye?! :)Georgia!