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Total books written: 134
Ages of readership:
Most typical wordcount per book:

Countries published in: Australia, New Zealand, USA, UK, Canada, Italy,
>Spain, France, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Korea, Yugoslavia,
>Serbia

Movie rights, merchandise or other exciting offshoots: Pugwall and
>Pugwall's Summer made into national/international TV series, current
>options held on The Chickabees for a movie.

Title of Featured Book: The Worst Nurse (my latest Aussie Bite, Puffin
>Penguin, illustrated by Terry Denton)

Blurb: Aunt Hetty is the local medieval healer. When she breaks her leg, Beth has
>to take over her rounds. Beth hates touching leeches, feels sick at the
>sight of vomit and can't stand sores or scabs ... Will she remember
>anything her Aunt has tried to teach her?

Place where your book is set: The Worst Nurse is set in medieval England and inspired by my visit a year ago to the York Dungeons. It was spooky and scary with dioramas showing the
>black plague and actors dressed as crones. They showed us black leeches in
>jars and limbs being amputated. I thought what if you didn't want to be a
>nurse and had to be?

Genre(s):Humour

What's the inside info about your life as a writer?
I am a full time professional writer and earn my living writing mainly
>children's and teenage books. I write from home or at my beach house and
>try to accomplish at least four hours a day, though this sometimes gets
>consumed by business administration activities. My family has grown up and
>left home. I have two grandsons and a new grandchild due soon. I have a 14
>year old cat called henry. My hobbies are reading, walking, water aerobics,
>gardening and watching crime movies.

Do you have another job as well as being a writer?

No. Though I do assess distant education students' writing assignments on a
>casual basis

Why do you love to write?

I love to write because I have a vivid imagination and I love to create
>stories that make children laugh and therefor they want to read my books.

What inspired you to write your book (or series which includes this book)

The Worst Nurse is my latest book which is why I am featuring it. It's part
>of the Puffin Penguin Aussie Bite series of over sixty books by various
>authors. I have written nine Aussie Bites and have just sold number ten,
>Hester the Jester.

What surprised you during research, writing or publishing of this book?
Terry Denton's perception of what the leeches should look like. Black
>leeches were commonly used for medicinal purposes and still are today.
>Terry wanted to do bright green leeches because 'Black leeches suck' Who
>could resist this argument? Not me!

If students are doing assignments on this book, what special insight into
symbolism, metaphors, choice of title, characters or research can you
provide:

I think the Worst Nurse is excellent for teachers to discuss what the
>common ailments were and how illnesses were treated years ago. The title
>was chosen for its humor, the main characters were researched to provide
>authenticity within a modern-day framework, and humor (with some gory
>stories) prevails.

Secret writing tip for students:

Firstly, read as many fiction books in as many genres as you can and see
>how different writers tell their stories. I believe you can absorb these
>styles like blotting paper and then you take the best form each and create
>your own style. It's very important to have your own individual way of
>writing for you to be a success.

Personal pet peeves:

Having to re-write certain phrases or clauses because I always seem to get
>the grammar incorrect no matter how hard I try Example. She finally entered
>the room or Finally she entered the room? Everyone has to re-write but I
>often feel that my most creative writing is in draft form and if I
>over-polish or over-correct, it loses that spontaneity.

When you were aged 8 to 15, what job(s) did you think you would have (if not a writer):

A librarian or a pop star

What you're working on next: I have just finished a book for teenagers called Friends Forever - A Secret Diary by Sara Swan (Random House, publish date November 2005) and I am
>working on the sequel Secret Friends' Stuff which comes out in January
>2006.

Are you available for paid school visits at ASA rates?: Unfortunately I cannot do very many school visits due to ill health of myself and also my elderly mother whom I care for in her home. I love
>visiting schools but I have to limit these unfortunately. However I do
>occasionally attend large festivals and conferences like the CBC or
>Somerset where I can speak to huge numbers of students at once, impart my
>knowledge and inspire them to read and write.

Are you blue-card approved to conduct school visits in Qld:

Are you available for free school visits in your local area during book launch months?: This is dependent on what my publishers have organsied but, yes, I often try and do this.

Is your computer/internet connection set up to do online chats?: No, but I answer all emails. I just don't have time to do on-line chats unless a school specifically requests this.

Do you speak/webchat in any languages other than English?: No