The best thing about writing for children is that it allows me to write about the kinds of things that used to fascinate me when I was young. I often think I write for the boy I was aged about nine or ten years old. For most of us, it¹s a lost, magical time before we grew up. Even if we have children of our own, it¹s difficult to remember just how things felt when we were young. And of course the stories can be very imaginative if they are for children, which makes writing them so much fun. Sometimes you need to be very technical with adult stories. For example, you must describe exactly how a time machine works or how dinosaurs can be recreated, as Michael Crichton does so well in Timeline and Jurassic Park among his many novels.
I don¹t really think of myself as being in any particular pigeonhole. One of the best things about science fiction or fantasy is that more or less anything you can imagine is possible. I do draw inspiration from many different areas and tend to throw everything into the mix. Sometimes things work and sometimes they don¹t.
4.SR: What is the best writing advice you have ever received?
Simon: Writing is in some ways the easy part. It can be a very long process not only to write a book, but also to get it published. A book is a marathon measured in years rather than weeks or months. Don¹t be afraid to revise and revise over and over again. Most authors go through many revisions before their work reaches its final format. Remember too that your book will never be to everyone¹s taste, so don¹t be discouraged. A firm belief in your own success is often what¹s necessary. After all, if you don¹t believe in your book, how can you expect other people to?
Read as much as you can and write as often as you can. Keep an ideas file even if it¹s just a name, title sentence or an entire outline for a novel. You never know when you might get another piece of the puzzle, even years later.
You also mustn¹t forget the marketing. You may produce the greatest book ever written. However, no one else is going to see it if your book doesn¹t become known to potential readers. Be visible as an author. Do as many readings, signings and personal appearances as you can. Get your name out there and hopefully the rest will follow. Especially for newly published authors, books don¹t sell themselves and need a lot of help.
