Post your questions to Anthony Horowitz to win a SIGNED copy of Stormbreaker

My son loves these, and he's bought them for his friends for birthdays, too.

How do you balance reality and fantasy when you are writing? Do you just let rip and go as fantastical as you like, or do you try to keep one foot on the ground?

Who or what was your inspiration for the Alex Rider series. Great work by the Way!!!

My 9 year old son would like to know if, in your head, you are Alex or another character in the book. He loved the series, and it was a great antidote to post-Potter Blues, so thank you. My classes also love Groosham Grange and I recently recommended it at training to teach the irony and sarcasm objective in the new English curriculum!

What started you writing? Did you always want to write? What advice would you give to a young reader who longs to see themselves in print?

Hi Anthony,

Whilst I have never read any of the Alex Rider series, I have very fond memories of the comic capers of The Diamond Brothers. The first time I read them was on as part of a compendium in a book I was given as a Christmas present at about 8. Following that great introduction (The Maltese Falcon) I searched out all of the novels featuring this duo and used to even re-read the stories time and again up til I was about 15!

I cannot wait to introduce my 7 year old to what I found to be hugely enjoyable books and one of those which are appealing to both boys and girls and really encouraged my early reading. Here was something I devoured and was itching to read and my own. For reluctant readers they are a must and I even to this day, have the audiobook on CD.

I long for another Diamond Brothers novel and wonder if this has crossed Anthony's mind? I think a glimpse into the lives of these boys as adults would be a fitting tribute and I can imagine Tim as a hapless father of a misbehaving brood who run rings around him! What are the chances of a trip down memory lane for many fans of your work, now adult, but still as fond of these as ever?

Sorry for my overly rambling question, but I felt in asking Anthony this, it was imperative that he gained some insight into the memories these books bring back for me.

Thanks very much Anthony,

All the best without future endeavours, Rachel (Valski)

Who did you imagine your "reader" to be when you started writing the Alex Rider novels? And have they proved to be like you imagined them?