Anthony Horowitz - live webchat Tuesday 10th November, 12 - 1pm

[RachelMumsnet]

International best-selling children's author Anthony Horowitz is joining us for a live webchat on Tuesday 10th November between 12 and 1pm. Crocodile Tears, the eighth book in the Alex Rider series will be published in November, and 'Collision', Anthony's new 5-part drama series is soon to hit the screens on ITV1. If you have a question for Anthony, or you have a fervent AH fan at home, post your advance questions on this thread or join us next Tuesday.

Just wanted to say thank you for writing books that my book-phobic nephew will read. You've shown him that books can be of interest to 'cool' boys!

RTKanga - I chose Hastings for FW because it was as close to the front line as you could get while still being in England. Also, to be honest, we couldn't afford London (originally, the series was going to be called The Blitz Detective and it was going to be set there). It's true about Midsomer Murders, I'm afraid. Whenever I got to an ad break, I killed someone in a slightly desperate attempt to make sure the viewers would come back. Seven murders in one episode was my record.

Well you live and learn! I didn't know you wrote Foyles War it was the best (British) programme of the last few years. I enjoyed Collision last night.

What books would you recommend for a girl who's basically read every book for her age group and is keen to move on to adult fiction.

Anthony,

Thanks for your reply (although ds will be disappointed). Stormbreaker was an excellent film. I liked the way you adapted the book. Point Blanc has the potential to be even better.

And yes 'jackstarbright' has been posting on Mumsnet for several months now!!!

We are looking forward to Crocodile Tears...

jack

Thanks v much for your reply Anthony. On second thoughts the video just looks crammed with enthusiasm for the book, rather than nervous.

My younger son will be cross with me if I don't press for details about when the next Power of Five book is coming out, Again, thanks for all these books. I love seeing my chiodren engrossed.

I'm no expert here (I had two sons) but I do think it's tricky to find the "next step" - the missing link between children's books and adult fiction. My boys loved Robert Cormier, a writer I'd recommend to anyone - particularly the oddly-titled but shocking "I Am the Cheese". They also enjoyed Stephen King but your daughter might dislike the violence and you might dislike some of the bad language. How about classics like "To Kill a Mocking Bird" (which has a compelling story)? The Go-Between by LP Hartley is a fantastic book. Golding? How about even trying Jane Eyre or Pride and Prejudice or it that too much of an ask? The danger is that you can put young people off great literature by introducing them to the wrong books too early. Is this at all helpful?

That last message was to Justine...

Anthony
I don't think we've read any of your books. Which one would you recommend to start with and I will tie my children to a chair until they read it suggest it to my children (they are 8, 12, 14...oh and 16 but its best not to worry about her!)

Hi Anthony, glad you're on Mumsnet (but they obviously need to get a decent biscuit selection in .

Can I ask, how do you fit it all in, the novels and TV writing?

Thank you for the answer ~ That is very interesting about FW and the location being close to France

I love Midsomer Murders ~ I like at the beginning wondering who or why someone will end up being killed before the end ~ it will be a shame when John Nettles retires. Will it still continue without him? I am a TV addict and I am a JN fan so I will really miss him.

Jack. I agree. I would love to see Alex back on the screen but on the other hand, films do have a way of spoiling books and I quite like the fact that Alex lives on in the imagination. I'm sort of easy either way.

Anthony, my Dd ( Jess) is 11yo and would like to be an author. She has just asked how did you start writing, did you start from a young age?

Thanks

What is your favourite part of writing a book?

Dear Fruitshoots, What a great question. What a great family! For the 8 year old, it's got to be Granny, one of my earlier books - rude and funny in the style of Dahl. The 12 and 14 year old could surely discover Alex Rider, starting with Stormbreaker. Then there's my horror stories (two collections) or Raven's Gate and the Power of 5 series for the 16 year old and her parents. Sorry for all this self-promotion but you did ask!

What age group did you have in mind when you started to write the Alex Rider series?

My DS is nearly 10, has not yet read and of the series but is likely to read them soon. I've read a couple, and will want to read ahead of him just so I know what themes are coming up so we can discuss them. (and because I enjoyed Stormbreaker and read it in one evening

Thanks for your reply, Anthony.

I just texted it to my son and he replied: "well if he's not like any of his heroes, is he like one of his villains - maybe the one with the world tattoed on his head?"

Hope you're not...

Ooh -- what are your horror stories called? My 14-y-o is reading Stephen King and although I'm ok with that, the stories are a bit uncomfortable for a youngster.

Doobydoo and Deadworm - you've both asked about the Po5 series. So here is a Mumsnet exclusive - the first sentence of the last book!

The line of Cadillacs cut through the very heart of the city, stretching the entire length of its main avenue.

The bad news is that so far it's the only line in the new book as I haven't really got into it yet. So in answer to your question, I think it's probably a couple of years away. My next book is a collection of horror stories, coming out in 2010.

thanks for your reply. I shall put those books mentioned on their christmas lists!

Power of Five, Deadworm - v v good but first one in the series scared me to death!

cocolepew...I started writing when I was 8 years old and in all honesty I knew then that there was nothing else for me. How did I start? I simply picked up a pen and and an old ledger and began scribbling stories, plays, poems...whatever. I remember asking my parents for a typewriter for my tenth birthday. It's odd because there were no other writers in my family and my father was always trying to persuade me to "go into business" like him. It was an impulse from the very start and still is today. I'm only happy when I'm writing.

Antoxo - I love every aspect of writing from thinking up the ideas (often while walking my chocolate Labrador in Suffolk) to planning and structuring, to research and so on. Perhaps most of all I love the act of writing, the scratch of the nib on the paper - I use a computer only for the second draft - and the sight of the pages mounting up. I never have writer's block. I can't wait to get back to my desk and start work. Except it isn't work. It's a total passion...how else could I survive 35 years as a writer?

PandaG, I suppose the age range for Alex was vaguely 8 years and up but in truth I don't think too much about my audience. A lot of it is instinctive although occasionally my publishers and I will tussle over levels of violence and things like that. I'm glad you read the books too as I always have parents in mind and feel that I'm writing for them too. I loved reading with my sons (rather than before them) and still believe that it's the best way to get on a level playing field with your children. They won't be so keen to share their computer games with you in later life!