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!
Hi, I really love your books, Driftwood, Scarlett and Lucky Star are my faves. I just finished Lucky Star and it was so great, I love Mouse 🙂 and I love the mix of realism and magic, it makes anything seem possible 😀 Keep it up, I can’t wait til your next book is done! 🙂
Hi!
oh man!I’m in trouble again cause my head is always at the computer JUST to think what comment that I should write to you..!! Still, I have some questions that always makes my head spin to think the answer… I so can’t wait for your newest book, LUCKY STAR… The title makes me feel so obsess with your book.. Moreover, the cover looks so cute! Anyway, when will Lucky Star be out in Malaysia?Oh and can’t you please come to Malaysia when a book festival are out?? I’m so obsess with your books..! So,if you really did come, then I’ll come too!Oh and please make an autograph session and I’ll really appreciate it if u accomplish this idea of mine..!! Please!!! Don’t make me suffer anymore!!!And keep up your good work! 😀
ty,
xoxoxo FROM YOUR BIGGEST FAN , LUBNA. xoxoxo
Hi Cath ! I AM actually reading your newest book! Well, my friend lend it to me! I want to write something for your writing gallery but my scanner is not working at the moment, so how do u think I should deal with this prob! I look forward to writing to u next time!!!!!!! seeyah
Hi! My favorite book of yours was a either Driftwood or Scarlett. Also though, I thought that Indigo Blue was second best. What were your school like?
Hi Cathy, I think you should Bring The Release dates of your books closer in Australia to The U.K. as I find it very Annoying when I come on your site and read The extract all the great things people say about your new books and then have to wait months patiently till it comes out in Australia.
what is your writing tips
Hi, Coby! Look on the Writer’s Workshop Page in the YOU section of my website to find all my tips for young writers… and a fab new writing comp!
Hi Cathy, you are my fave author ever and i just wanted to ask you… in gingersnaps have you ever been through something like what Shannon or Ginger or Emily experienced in the book???
hi i have read lots of ure books the only one i have not read is ginger snaps but i have reserved that at the library my fav is lucky star its really good
hi cathy!!
I think you are an amazing writer and every time I finish your books I am always really upset that i have finished it. Will you ever write a series??? I think it would be brilliant if you did!!!
Please reply!!
XxHelenaxX