Author Interview: Emma Barnes
We are delighted to welcome author of Chloe’s Secret Princess Club( illustrated by ).
Chloe never means to get into trouble but sometimes her plans get a little out of control. With her two best friends, she forms a Secret Club dedicated to making their dreams come true – but fantasy and reality don’t always mix!
Where did the idea come from for Chloe’s Secret Princess Club?
There were a few different things that came together. I’d really wanted to write about a very imaginative, dreamy little girl – somebody who tended to get carried away by her own fantasies. So that was Chloe. And so many girls go through a “princess” stage – I thought it would be really fun to see a group of girls trying to act out their princess fantasies in real life and the kind of disasters that could follow on from that!
What was your favourite book to read as a child?
There were so many. One was Harriet the Spy, which was maybe the inspiration for the fact that Chloe and her friends write things down in a secret notebook, just as Harriet did. I also loved the Narnia books, including The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe – which Chloe also loves and which leads her into trouble in chapter one.
What is your favourite thing about being a children’s author?
Working in my pyjamas! Coming up with crazy ideas in my head, and trying to get them down on paper in all their craziness. I also love meeting children and seeing how they respond to the books – even when they mistake me for Enid Blyton, which actually happened once.
Are you a planner or a panther?
I do both. Typically I do plan, but then a lot of the story changes when I write (and rewrite) the book.
What are your top three places to write?
Libraries. Trains. And I love cafes – my favourite is the Opposite Cafe in my hometown of Leeds.
What are you currently working on?
That’s a secret! It’s too early to tell anyone – it needs nursing a bit longer.
What is your favourite fairytale?
Cinderella. It’s such a classic.
If you had to describe your book in a tweet (140 characters), what would you say?
Chloe is determined to be a princess – and she isn’t going to let ordinary life get in her way!
Interview questions by Faye
Emma is the author of several books for children, including JESSICA HAGGERTHWAITE: WITCH DISPATCHER, for which she was nominated for the Branford Boase award, and the WILD THING series. As well as writing, she enjoys spending time working in schools and libraries. You can learn more about Emma and her work by visiting her website (here),Facebook Page (here), or her Twitter account (here)