4,833
edits
Changes
From TheBookbag
Jump to navigationJump to searchThe Interview: Bookbag Talks To Alan Durant (view source)
Revision as of 22:24, 9 August 2010
, 22:24, 9 August 2010no edit summary
{{infoboxinterviews
|title=The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Alan Durant
* '''BB: Unfortunately, lots of parents are worried about anything less than a happy ending in a book. We loved the way ''Unfortunately'' ended, but did you or anyone else ever question it?'''
AD: Not me, no. The book is called ''Unfortunately'' after all! However, I know it worried American publishers which is why probably there isn't a US edition as yet (they suggested an ending in which the children are burped up by the monster). I guess I'm of the [[Not Now, Bernard by David McKee|Not Now Bernard]] school!
* '''BB: Fortunately, the illustrations marry beautifully with the text in ''Unfortunately''. How did [[:Category:Simon Rickerty|Simon Rickerty]] and you work together to produce the book?'''
* '''BB: Fortunately, we love finding out how people became authors. Who or what inspired you?'''
AD: Books. I was an avid reader from a young age (it wasn't until secondary school, though, that I had any interest in writing). I remember vividly reading all the [[The Chronicles of Narnia by C S Lewis|Narnia]] books in Year 4 and the ''Famous Five'' books in Year 5, as well as realistic football stories by ''Michael Hardcastle'', [[The Beasts in the Jar (Greek Beasts and Heroes) by Lucy Coats and Anthony Lewis|Myths]] and [[The Orchard Book of Swords, Sorcerers and Superheroes by Tony Bradman and Tony Ross|Legends]], [[Outlaw: The Legend of Robin Hood (Heroes & Heroines Graphic) by Tony Lee and Sam Hart|Robin Hood]] and [[The Sword in the Stone by T H White|King Arthur]]. But my favourite book of all was {{amazonurl|isbn=B0018EVF2Y|title=The King of the Castle by Meriol Trevor}} (sadly long out of print). I first read it when I was ten and absolutely loved it. I have my own copy still and find every bit as magical as I did as a child. That book did more than anything to turn me into a writer.
* '''BB: Unfortunately, children's literature isn't perfect. If you could click your fingers and change one thing about it, what would it be?'''
* '''BB: Fortunately, we like that answer a lot, and it leads on nicely to the question of what are you reading at the moment and how are you finding it?'''
AD: I'm reading ''A Swift Pure Cry '' by [[:Category:Siobhan Dowd|Siobhan Dowd]] (whom I knew briefly at University but never as an adult sadly), an Italian version of ''Little Red Riding Hood'' (I don't speak much Italian so it's a challenge!), an old Ladybird ''Book of Trees'' (I love the pictures and I'm determined to one day be able to put a name to the trees and flowers I see) and lots of poetry, which is a passion of mine.
* '''BB: Unfortunately, we're at the end of the interview, so will ask you what's next for Alan Durant?'''
AD: I'm off into town to join my local library - and the aquarium for a writing project. I'm working on some new picture books, a collection of horror fairy tales, poetry and a few other things.
* '''BB: Fortunately, we've really enjoyed interviewing you, and can't wait to see the new books. Thanks! We're sure our American friends are cringing in embarrassment at the suggested alternative ending from the US publishers!'''
AD: Fortunately , I've enjoyed the interview too! Thanks.
* '''BB: Unfortunately, gulp.'''
