Briefly tell us about your book.
The Bewilderbeast is a fun rhyming story that involves mystery, discovery and amazing illustrations. It’s about a misunderstood creature and the villagers that are afraid of it, but for good reason? Well, you’ll have to read it!
What inspired the idea behind this book?
Honestly, I thought of the title first. I loved the idea of a bewildering beast, and how it might be misunderstood and ultimately discovered. I wanted that discovery to be teased out over the book to make it fun and compelling.
What are you hoping readers will take away from your book?
I really love the idea that parents and kids will read this together and discover the Bewilderbeast in real time. It’s such a fun book to read aloud, so a sense of adventure and togetherness is what I’d love readers to take from it.
What’s next? Do you have any new spectacular stories you’re working on/hope to work on?
I have three new books in the works! I’m so excited about them, and the fact that they tackle more serious issues like anxiety with a sense of humour and play.
Did you always plan to be an author? What led you to where you are today?
Despite focussing on being a musician for most of my life, i would say that writing was actually my first love. Before I could play guitar, or had the courage to sing in public, I was writing stories and poems from a young age. When I had my own kids, I felt myself drawn back to the world of storytelling through this medium, and chipped away at stories for my kids until I felt I was ready to submit something to a publisher.
What’s some great advice you’ve received that has helped you as a writer?
I think it’s an oft used piece of advice, but it’s very true. You don’t need a special pen or special paper. You just need to start! You need to write and write a lot before you’ll fine your “voice” so don’t be afraid to write things that will never see the light of day. Creativity begets creativity!
Do you write about people you know? Or yourself?
There are always little elements of my real life in both my songs and my kids books. Chatterpuss is definitely a bit like me. Glenn is definitely a bit like one of my sons! Family Tree was very much based on my actual family unit and the tree in our backyard. It’s pretty hard not to be influenced by the people, places and stories that surround us, so there are always elements of my life that creep in!
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