The Paul Cookson Interview

1. Who are your favourite children's authors/poets/illustrators?

Authors: Brian Jacques, Philip Pullman, J K Rowling, Richmal Crompton, Jeremy Strong.

Poets: Roger McGough, Brian Patten, David Harmer, Lindsay MacRae, Val Bloom, Ian McMillan.

Illustrators: Korky Paul, David Parkins, Martin Chatterton.

2. What are your favourite modern children's books?

Harry Potter, The Redwall Books (Brian Jacques), Skelling (David Almond), Philip Pullman's Trilogy - Northern Lights, Subtle Knife, Amber Spyglass.

3. What's your favourite place for reading?

On the toilet!! On the sofa with a cup of tea and a good CD on.

4. What's the most unusual place you've read a book in?

Dentist's waiting room - while the anaesthetic makes my mouth feel like half a brick.

5. What did you want to be when you grew up?

Footballer for Everton.  Guitarist in Slade (70's pop group).

6. Why did you decide to write children's books?

It was something that happened gradually - I've always written poems and it was something I tried and it just clicked.  It just seemed right and I've never looked back.

7. If you weren't a writer what else would you be?

a) Unemployed OR
b) Probably a teacher

8. What do you like best about being a writer?

Everything - from the writing/creation of ideas to trying them out in performance to seeing them on the printed page in books.  Fantastic.

9. What influences your writing?

Time - I don't have as much time to write as I'd like as I'm always doing school visits!  Anything can influence/inspire - experiences, observations, conversations etc.

10. What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Practice, practice, practice, practice, practice.  Write as many different styles as you can, copy other styles, write about as many subjects as you can.  Always read your poems out loud - poems are to hear.  Don't be afraid to change them.

11. What is your favourite place in the world?

a) Disneyland - with my family
b) Lake District
c) A good book or record shop with time to spare!

Paul was born in 1961 in Essex.  After the usual exams and college courses he became a teacher.  Paul still teaches but spends most of his time working as a writer and performer.  

Paul is married and lives with Sally, Sam and Daisy (and Ginger the guinea pig) in Retford.

Email: stories@birmingham.gov.uk

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This page was last updated on 03 July 2009