Ask Blue Peter transcript
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| This event took place Wednesday 14th November, 2001 |
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Blue Peter
Blue Peter Book Awards judge Alan Gibbons, joined us for a Live Chat and answered your questions about his inspirations and writing ...
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Question from Sadie: I really liked Phoenix. Have you written any more books about him?
Alan Gibbons: The three books are the Legendeer trilogy. Part 2 that follows on is Vampire Legion and it finishes with Warriors of the Raven. They cover the gothic myths and the viking myths.
Question from Rebecca Pover: Hello. I wanted to ask where do you get the inspiration for writing your stories from?
Alan Gibbons: This one is the hardest question! I think it comes half from your life experience and the other half is this kind of magic of all the images, all the words you've read, all the pictures you've ever seen and nobody really knows how it all mixes together. Finally it's all the people you've ever met and loved.
Question from Robbie: Did you have to read a lot about ancient Greece for In the Shadow of the Minotaur?
Alan Gibbons: Yes but the good thing is that I've been reading the Greek myths since I was six years old so I'm kind of saturated in the myths of Greece and the Viking world. The funny thing is there were these programmes like Hercules and Zena and because they showed a cutey picture of the myths I wanted to get back to the terrifying reality.
Question from Masie: If you could write a joint book with another author who would it be?
Alan Gibbons: Stephen King. He's the absolute master of horror and he's got the best understanding of childhood of any living author. And he's my hero!
Question from Kaleigh: When you were at school did the teachers think you wrote good stories?
Alan Gibbons: I think the teachers weren't quite sure if I was awake, I was always a bit of a dreamer. I was always good at English but I was so shy that I never tried putting my stories in the school or college magazines. It wasn't until I was about 35 until I got confident enough to write. My advice to you is that if you like writing, do it straight away. Don't be a scaredy cat like me!
Question from Charles: Why don't you write about modern legends like Robin Hood?
Alan Gibbons: The funny thing is I did once write the beginning of a Robin Hood legend and I never finished it. When I was in the middle of it, several good writers were writing the same so I didn't see the point of carrying on. My favourite children's book is 'Bows Against The Barrons' which was published in 1934 and it's a must for all Robin Hood fans.
Question from Kate: Do you think you will stop teaching and just write all the time?
Alan Gibbons: Not really no. At the moment I'm what's called an author in residence for Noseley on Merseyside. Some authors don't enjoy the contact with children but I'm one of the oddities that really likes to perform now and meet my audience. For that reason, I still love teaching.
Question from Stevie: What did it feel like to win this award?
Alan Gibbons: I was shocked and surprised. Then there was a feeling of elation and I don't think there can be any greater recognition than to be voted for by children. Especially if you're a children's author. I've nothing against grown ups but it's the kids that matter.
Question from Jabreena: Would you ever like your stories to be turned into films, like Harry Potter?
Alan Gibbons: Definitely! I've signed what's called a film option which probably means there's about a one in ten chance that 'Shadow of the Minator' could be turned into a movie so I have to keep my fingers crossed and hope it comes off. But even if it happened, books are always number one for me as you can imagine the images in your own mind.
Question from Stevie: If you didn't become a writer what would you be now?
Alan Gibbons: A teacher. I still think it's the great job because you're trying to produce the adults of the future and influence their hopes and dreams. I can't think of any better way of spending your time.
Question from Alisha: I like writing, but I always get stuck on the conclusion. How do you think of good endings?
Alan Gibbons: What you have to do is decide the very beginning and the very end, they are the two parts that you have to spend most of your time on. You should read the beginnings and endings by all the most talented authors and then just try and work out how they do the tricks of an eye-catching first and last line. You should never have an ending that says 'and then we went home for our tea'!
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