My Reading Problem: Author Interview – Tom Skinner @PictureBookTom

How many friends does a person need? I find two or three great friends is ample. One could argue you need to be your own best friend!

What do you consider the most challenging about writing a novel, or about writing in general? Showing up on the page. And then showing that page to others!

Have you developed a specific writing style? I’m told that having one’s own style is more valuable than rubies. If true, I am ruby rich!

Have you ever had writer’s block? Yes. It’s taken me 13 years to write a series. Always had the concept, title and characters but no plot.

If so, what do you do about it? In this (series) case I just decided that’s what I was going to do, developed a very strict and classic template, and used the same plot for all 10 books with minor variations, title, locations, sayings etc

Why did you choose to write this particular alphabet book? I thought the market was flooded with ho hum ‘A is for apple’ “B is for ball’ type books plus I read a recent study which showed babies can distinguish vowel sounds up to 3 months before birth – fascinating stuff – so why not give them a range of simple and sophisticated sounds.

What was the hardest part about writing this ABC book? Well, it had to be 26 times everything and each page had 4 or 5 integrated layers so it was quite a challenge to keep it all fresh for young and old alike especially with the same repeated refrain on each page which can sometimes drive the parent or reader nuts!