Writer
Catherine Webb's interview
Who first spotted your talent and how did you go about getting your stories published?
I don't know if I was ever talent spotted! It would have to be my agent I suppose, Neg Davis. I got invited to his office and given a cookie; I sat down, he said it was good and told me what they were proposing to do. Then I had the cookie! I had no idea it was going to be published and it happened before I realised really. It was luck.
How hard was it to write a book and concentrate on your schoolwork at the same time- you must be very disciplined!
That's nice that you think so! I wasn't particularly disciplined. I did most of the writing in the summer holidays which saved a lot of trouble. I can usually do school work quite quickly and it was just a way of relaxing really, I do it in my free time.
I have lots of what I think are 'good ideas' in my head but I don't know how to start when I want to write them down. Help!
To tell the truth, the best idea is probably to charge at it screaming blue murder! If you just start writing, usually the story will develop. I don't usually start out with a plot in mind.
There are many books that help you write a book. Have you looked through any of those?
To tell the truth, no. That all seems far too intellectual. There are probably lots of courses. There's a book called The Writer's Handbook and it's usually around in big bookshops. That might help. It will give you lists of courses, universities and publishers etc. My parents used to work in publishing so they told me some things, great for advice.
I always have lots of ideas but I never seem to be able to finish my stories. Either I get bored or I can never think of a good enough ending. How do you manage to finish yours?
The finishing is always the best bit; good can triumph over evil. You've got the characters, ideas and plots so all you need to do at the end is bring it all together, identify the good and bad guy and go from there. Quite often, the ending is usually just where everything comes together so it doesn't need much effort, you just need to enjoy it.
I am always scared to tell anyone about anything I've written, because I always think that they'll either steal my ideas or laugh at me. Who did you first tell about your book and why?
My parents, because they were both experienced in publishing and I thought they wouldn't laugh. I trusted them- they made my hot chocolates! I thought the story wasn't as bad as many of the others I'd written in the past, and I wanted to give my ego a boost. With previous stories, I showed them, but they always thought I should work at it, as they were appallingly bad. They were very tactful and didn't tell me they were bad. They say they were good for my age. Having read them recently, they are really bad - bad plot and ideas.
Would you like to see a movie made of your book and whom would you like to star in it?
It would be terrific if I could see a movie, but I doubt it would happen. I can't think of anyone famous who would fit the role. I can't act to save my life so it won't be me!
Do you feel that people take fantasy books seriously enough?
I think people take them seriously as something to read for fun. It's escapism really. Fantasy is what you read when you're tired with the world in general and you want to go somewhere where more exciting things happen. It's not supposed to be a serious comment on a human condition or anything like that. I think it should be taken seriously as a book. I don't think it should be taken seriously as a way to look at the world. It's much more of an exciting place than real life.
When you began to write, did you base your heroes on people you know or even yourself?
I think every writer bases every hero on themselves, without the crapness! It's what I would like to be without the ability to be bad at Maths and not being able to cook!
What makes a good book for you? Who's your favourite author of all time and why?
An interesting narrator's voice, someone with a flair for language and a quick plot. I want things to happen and to happen quickly. I like a lot of crime novels too; I like a voice with a strong personality, someone you can sympathise with and has a distinct voice. I'm not entirely sure how I get that into my books though! My favourite author is Roger Zelazny because he has the most breathtaking imagination and he's got a wonderful narrative voice, he sounds so nice. He's fast paced and nobody seems to have heard of him, which is a real pity.
Do you see yourself being a writer in the future or are there other things you want to do?
Hopefully I would still be a writer, but I also want to do other things to get some variety in my life. I'd like a part-time job to almost "get real", with the socialising and stuff. I'd get terribly lonely and quite mad if I sat at home and wrote all the time.
What is your favourite film and have you taken anything from it and put it into your books?
I've got lots of favourites. To date, it's Lord of the Rings, surprise surprise. Mirror Dreams was written before the film came out and I prefer fantasy that's quirkier than Tolkien, so I didn't take anything from the film. I do actually prefer the film to the book, sorry!
Since you've written a book, do your English teachers give you A's?
My English teachers, to tell the truth, gave me quite good marks beforehand, but I don't like writing essays, so nothing has really changed. I have hopes for an A in my GCSE.
Do you resent the implication that your age is used as a 'gimmick' or selling point, and does that mean that many simply dismiss you without giving you a chance?
I don't resent it but I am aware that there probably is that people are only going to either read it or not read it because I was 14 when I wrote it. It is funny though, so I just grin. I had no ideas about two years ago and sitting here today, I can't get over the shock of where I am now. Sometimes it's overwhelming. Doing the publicity thing is quite overwhelming- I've got exams to worry about at the moment so it's extra pressure too.
What do your friends think of your success in writing?
They have the tendency to take the mickey as they know it makes me uncomfortable, so they have a tendency to laugh. I usually turn bright red with embarrassment. There's no jealousy or anything. If it's my future, then who cares?
Can you explain what Mirror Dreams is about, because I'm thinking of reading it?
It's basically about a world created by the human mind dreaming, where anything you think about might be possible. It focuses on a wizard, called Kite. He's caught in a conflict between dreams and conflict, stuck right in the middle.
Before you wanted to write, what were your other ambitions or career ideas?
My career ideas haven't changed that much. I used to want to be an astronaut until I realised it was sitting in a tin can under an explosion, (!). I lack the Maths to be a rocket scientist, so I have no real idea what I want to be now.
Do you ever wish you lived in a Fantasy world that you created?
Quite frequently, especially in school assemblies, wishing I could fly out of the window! I would love to live in a fantasy world, you can have a happy time and it would all be magical and nice, a world where magic can get rid of most of your evils would be good. Magical and mystical beasts, a basic Tolkien world, but I also like technological things, like having a kettle and hot water bottle.
That is all we have time for. Here's Catherine Webb with a final word...
Being a writer is great fun but my only piece of advice is that if you're going to write, don't do it for money, do it for fun.
