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MNHQ

Webchat with Eoin Colfer and Oliver Jeffers SATURDAY 24TH 10-11AM.

56 replies

UrsulaMumsnet · 16/10/2015 17:15

Artemis Fowl extraordinaire, Eoin Colfer, and superstar illustrator Oliver Jeffers are both joining us on Saturday (24th October) morning at 10am to talk to YOU about their beautiful collaboration Imaginary Fred, plus any other questions you might be bursting to ask.

So get the DC involved and come and join us on Saturday or, if you can't make it on the day, post your and DC's questions on the thread below and check back later to see if they've been answered!

See you there!

MNHQ

Webchat with Eoin Colfer and Oliver Jeffers SATURDAY 24TH 10-11AM.
Webchat with Eoin Colfer and Oliver Jeffers SATURDAY 24TH 10-11AM.
Webchat with Eoin Colfer and Oliver Jeffers SATURDAY 24TH 10-11AM.
Expert
OliverJeffers · 24/10/2015 10:17

@RachelMumsnet

ooh a bit late there....Can we ask you both our standard questions at Mumsnet that we ask all authors:

What childhood book most inspired you?

What would be the first piece of advice you would give to anyone attempting to write/illustrate children's books?

What is the best book you have given anyone recently?

And the best you've received?

The childhood book that most inspired me was the BFG by Roald Dahl.

The piece of advice I'd give to anyone attempting to write/illustrate for children is to make sure you're having fun and write about something that interests you.

The best book I've given anyone recently is Everything Is Illuminated by Jonathan Safran Foer. Best book anyone's given me recently is The Sisters Brothers by Patrick Dewitt given to me by Eoin.

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EoinColfer · 24/10/2015 10:16

@RachelMumsnet

ooh a bit late there....Can we ask you both our standard questions at Mumsnet that we ask all authors:

What childhood book most inspired you?
I have always loved Stig of the Dump and Kidnapped- real classics.

What would be the first piece of advice you would give to anyone attempting to write/illustrate children's books?
Talk to children and try to get to grips with how they think- never write down.

What is the best book you have given anyone recently?
I gave Oliver The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt- he tells me he loves it.

And the best you've received?

I believe (hint hint) that Oliver is going to surprise me with a copy of his fine art book.
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SpitNolan · 24/10/2015 10:15

Morning Eoin and Oliver, so pleased I remembered about the webchat this morning. I'd like to know how you came to collaborate on this book. I love both your books but you're both so different! is it an Irish thing?

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EoinColfer · 24/10/2015 10:13

@OliverJeffers

Eoin-what is the capital of Russia?

R

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OliverJeffers · 24/10/2015 10:12

Eoin-what is the capital of Russia?

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EoinColfer · 24/10/2015 10:09

@Etainagain

Ds wants to know whether the last book in the Artemis Fowl series really is the last book and if there are going to be any books about Artemis younger brothers.

I think I am finished with Arty himself but I would like to do the Fowl Twins. I think there are a lot of stories left in those two boys.

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EoinColfer · 24/10/2015 10:08

@PolkadotsAndMoonbeams

Hello Eoin, I remember you coming into my school and reading to us from Artemis Fowl when it was a very new book (I still have my signed first edition on my bookcase!) Smile

Where did you get the idea to write the second story along the bottom of the pages from? My sister and I used to love working those out just as much as we loved the stories (my gnommish is very rusty now, but we used to write notes to each other using it).

Also, is their any chance of Airman being made into a film? I remember thinking it would be brilliant on a big screen when I first read it.

Hi PolkadotsAndMoonbeams- I hope I was entertaining on that day- it must be nearly 25 years ago. The Gnommish code was my editor Sarah's idea- I wrote the little stories but an artist designed the alphabet. I would like to see Airman being filmed- it is very cinematic- A director I know is working on it.

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OliverJeffers · 24/10/2015 10:06

@Racundra

Oliver - we love your books in this family! We've spent so many hours reading them over and over. Re lost and found etx- was the penguin based on someone in particular? We saw the stage play of the book, and it was just wonderful. DS was only just two, but he talked about it for months and months afterwards.

Yes it's based on a real story of a boy that climbed into a penguin enclosure at Belfast Zoo. He managed to get all the way home with a baby penguin under his coat. He had to keep it in the bath tub till the man from the zoo could come the next time.

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OliverJeffers · 24/10/2015 10:04

@Marcelinewhyareyousomean

Lost and Found is one of our favourite books. It is a massive part of our Christmas, we read it Xmas Eve and watch it over breakfast on n Xmas Day. We love the animation, any plans to make films from your books?

Yes. I've always wanted to make other films of my books. Hopefully that will happen in the future.

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OliverJeffers · 24/10/2015 10:03

@Yeahyeahyeahs

Question for Oliver from Lara aged 3 (who is so obsessed she wants to be Oliver Jeffers when she grows up) - 'When you were lost as a little boy, did the label that helped you get found have your address on it?'

Yes, every single item of my clothing had my name on it. But no necessarily my address.

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MNHQ
RachelMumsnet · 24/10/2015 10:03

ooh a bit late there....Can we ask you both our standard questions at Mumsnet that we ask all authors:

What childhood book most inspired you?

What would be the first piece of advice you would give to anyone attempting to write/illustrate children's books?

What is the best book you have given anyone recently?

And the best you've received?

Expert
EoinColfer · 24/10/2015 10:03

@letsgetreadytoramble

To both - who has been your favourite children's laureate so far, and who would you like to see as laureate next?

Hi PD&MB- I have loved Niamh and Siobhan equally. They both did brilliant projects- I am trying to fill their boots- one boot each.

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OliverJeffers · 24/10/2015 10:02

@letsgetreadytoramble

To both - who has been your favourite children's laureate so far, and who would you like to see as laureate next?

Definitely Eoin as he bought me a beer last night.

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OliverJeffers · 24/10/2015 10:02

@TheCraicDealer

Oliver, I'm afraid I have bought Lost & Found about three times for various children because it makes me (childless cynic) cry when I read it in Waterstones. Which would be every time I'm in Waterstones. Are your prints available for sale anywhere? I love the look of the stuff in your new show.

I'm afraid they've sold out but there will be some more in the future.

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OliverJeffers · 24/10/2015 10:01

@princessbarbie

Where do you get your ideas from? From Amelia Richardson aged 8

i get my ideas from a lunchbox I keep under my bed.

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EoinColfer · 24/10/2015 10:01

@DivaDroid

Where did you get the ideas for Artemis Fowl? I'm just about to begin reading them with the DC & I'm hoping they'll love them as much as I do!

Hi DivaDroid- Thanks for the kind words. Artemis is based on my brother Donal who was a bit of a Jack the Lad.

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RachelMumsnet · 24/10/2015 10:00

Morning all and a very warm welcome to our webchat guests this morning who are joining us ( I believe ) from the Lowry in Manchester. Over to you Eoin and Oliver...

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EoinColfer · 24/10/2015 10:00

@princessbarbie

Where do you get your ideas from? From Amelia Richardson aged 8

Hi Amelia- I get most of my ideas from watching my brothers and sons fool around. I take all their antics and dress them up as fairies.

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OliverJeffers · 24/10/2015 09:59

Good morning everyone! Oliver Jeffers here.

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EoinColfer · 24/10/2015 09:58

Hi Guys- Eoin Colfer here. All logged on and ready for the grilling.

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Racundra · 24/10/2015 09:09

Oliver - we love your books in this family!
We've spent so many hours reading them over and over.
Re lost and found etx- was the penguin based on someone in particular?
We saw the stage play of the book, and it was just wonderful. DS was only just two, but he talked about it for months and months afterwards.

Etainagain · 24/10/2015 08:50

Ds wants to know whether the last book in the Artemis Fowl series really is the last book and if there are going to be any books about Artemis younger brothers.

Marcelinewhyareyousomean · 24/10/2015 08:26

Lost and Found is one of our favourite books. It is a massive part of our Christmas, we read it Xmas Eve and watch it over breakfast on n Xmas Day. We love the animation, any plans to make films from your books?

Yeahyeahyeahs · 23/10/2015 08:33

Question for Oliver from Lara aged 3 (who is so obsessed she wants to be Oliver Jeffers when she grows up) - 'When you were lost as a little boy, did the label that helped you get found have your address on it?'

letsgetreadytoramble · 20/10/2015 22:17

To both - who has been your favourite children's laureate so far, and who would you like to see as laureate next?

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