Q1. Why did you start writing and illustrating books for Children?

A. While studying for a teaching qualification, I was set an assignment to write and illustrate a children's story. This was so we would research children's reading levels. The tutor liked 'Why Pick On Me?' so much she said I should try and get it published.

Q2. Why did you choose bullying for the subject of this book?

A. I thought if I was going to spend a lot of time researching and writing the story, I would like to use it as a resource later while teaching. Bullying seemed to be a subject that would that would be relevant in any school and any classroom. (Please bear in mind this was at least two years before television, radio and the newspapers made it a topical issue).

Q3. How long does it take to write a story?

A. It all depends on the subject and how quickly you are able to research the content. After the first draft 'Why Pick On Me?' took about three years to get it to its finished copy and 'Not To Be Sniffed At!' was researched and written over a period of five years. This was due to new findings being published at regular intervals.

Q4. How long does it take to produce the illustrations?

A. A large illustration slightly smaller than A2 size would take about fourteen hours to complete and a smaller sized illustration of about A3 size would take about ten hours. This all depends on how much detail is contained in the illustration. Smaller cartoon style illustrations may take about an hour.

Q5. How do you make your illustrations look so life-like?

A. All the characters you see in the illustrations for the main story are all real people. I take photographs of models and use these pictures as a reference. This way I can place the characters in any environment I choose, even a dangerous one, without the models being in any risk of danger and still keep a sense of realism.

Q6. How much do you get paid for writing and illustrating a book?

A. The usual percentage of the books cover price which is 10% (10p in every £1).

Q7. How long did it take to get your first book published?

A. Just over nine years. ( It took Roald Dahl thirty years to get his first book published. So NEVER GIVE UP! KEEP TRYING!)

Q8. Are you married and do you have any children?

A. No, I'm single and I do not have any children.

Q9. Do you have any hobbies?

A. Yes, I like photography, listening to and performing music. I play piano, saxophone and guitar. I also write musical arrangements for a local Youth Marching Band. I attend church regularly, and I used to run the Cub Pack which was attached to the church for about eight years.

Q10. What advice would you give to someone who would like to be a writer or illustrator?

A. Keep practising. Write as much as you can. Draw and paint as much as you can. Find a style you are happy with. Research your stories and illustrations thoroughly. Finally, don't give up. Rejection from publishers can be very disheartening, it's their loss, not your's. Keep on trying till someone is interested.

That Christopher Robin was A. A. Milne's son and that Pooh, Piglet, Tigger and all the other characters were his toys. The Royalty Payments from the story Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie, go to the Hospital For Sick Children, Great Ormond Street, London. The writer of the Iron Man, Ted Hughes, was once Poet Laureate. This means he was appointed as the Queen's own special poet. Do you know who the present Poet Laureate is? Do you know that J. K. Rowling first started writing about Harry Potter in a cafe in Glasgow. She her first ideas were written on a serviette.   If you want to ask any more questions about writing and illustrating books, you can E-mail Nick. (Please get permission first if you are under 16 year of age.) Go to the Contact Page using the button below.