Claire Freedman - Author Interview: Children's Author

What kinds of fiction did you read as a child, and did you have some favourites?

I read everything and anything. My favourites were girls adventure stories by Enid Blyton, Winnie The Pooh, and A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Would you say your childhood reading has had a distinct influence on how you write fiction now, and why?

I'm not sure about that one! I think you the more you read, the more you discover what you really enjoy in fiction. That possibly reflects in what I write now, as I tend to pen the kind of story I would have enjoyed reading as a child myself.

What did you do before you became a published children's author, and how did you come to write your first children's book and get it published?

I had many previous jobs before becoming a writer - including working at Harrods, London, in a print company, as a secretary and as a dental nurse. I started writing after joining a creative writing class.
I still attend the same class 15 years later!

How would you describe your style of children's fiction or your approach to writing children's fiction?

I have 2 styles - Reassuring and emotional or just plain good fun!

Who is another author whose children's fiction you admire and why?

I love Oliver Jeffers' work. He captures emotions beautifully - and he can illustrate his own work!

How would you summarise one of your children's books in one paragraph?

Okay - choosing my best known book Aliens Love Underpants....

Aliens come down to earth to pinch all your underpants that are hanging on the washing line! They play underpants games with them and generally have fun. Then when Mum comes to get the washing in they zoom away in their spaceships. Ooops! One alien is left behind, so better check your underpants before you put them on!

How would you describe the appeal of this book to readers?

It is crazy alien fun, brightly illustrated, and includes pants, which all children seem to love!! It is also written in rhyme which makes it easy and accessible for young children.

How would you summarise a chapter or section from this book in one paragraph?

The first spread reads:

Aliens love underpants in every shape and size
But there are no underpants in space, so here's a big surprise...

The rhyme summarises it all - but each spread of a picture book has to stand alone as a seperately illustrated marrriage of text and picture. It also has to move the story along.

How would you describe the contribution this chapter or section makes to the book?

Hopefully it is a taster of what's to come.
Also, the integration of writing and illustration are crucial to the book's success. In a picture book, the story is not told just in words, but in the illustrations.

How would you describe the integration of writing and illustrations in one of your illustrated children's books? If none of your children's books have been illustrated, how would you describe the integration of writing and illustrations in one of your favourite illustrated children's books by another author?

The illustrations totally contribute to the text (as in all picture books!). Ben Cort really has brought the aliens to life and added to the humour of the book. They are bright, funny and colourful!

To what extent would you say fiction written primarily for child readers is different from fiction written primarily for teen readers?

Obviously the language has to be age appropriate. The storyline and character(s) also have to grab the reader very quickly, and sustain the momentum to the end to keep the child interested in turning the page.

Author website: http://www.clairefreedman.co.uk/