Would you please give us a little background about how you came to write “Bullies, big mouths and so-called friends?”
Author: Jenny Alexander
I’ve always felt strongly about bullying. I was never bullied at school but when I had children of my own I became aware how common school bullying is and how little truly practical advice is available to young people if telling doesn’t work.
What inspired you to start writing Children’s Books?
I had four children and I loved reading to them – we got through masses of library books every week. It felt like a natural thing to write for children at that time, although I have never thought of myself as exclusively a children’s writer and I have written a book, several poems and a clutch of magazine articles for adults.
Bullies, Bigmouths and so-called Friends
How do you get into the mind of a child in order to write in a way they can relate to?
I cast my mind back to how I felt when I was the age I’m writing for or think back to my children and their friends. I don’t feel that the conceptual development of children changes very much from one generation to another even though the social context may be radically altered.
What do you know now that you wish you’d known when you started writing children’s books?
I didn’t know that as a children’s author these days you have to make yourself into a brand, producing a body of similar books and being willing to spend a large amount of time promoting them in the media and online. I’m glad I didn’t know this when I started out because it would have put me off, and although I do prefer being at home writing I have found I also enjoy getting out and about, talking and teaching as well as writing.
What advice would you give someone who is thinking of becoming an author?
Do your research into what the market wants and bear that in mind, but always write what comes from the heart.
For a parent who has a child only interested in watching TV what advice would you give them to interest their child in reading books?
Have lots of books around in the house. Let your child see you reading for pleasure.
Car-Mad JACK
Read to your child every day and talk about what you are reading. Be adventurous – please don’t just stick to stories. Your child might also love non fiction and poetry.
How would you persuade kids that green issues are important?
Green issues are about love – nurturing the natural and social environments that nurture us. I think all you need is time to stop and notice all the wonderful things in nature, including human nature, in order to feel grateful and glad you can contribute. I would encourage children to take time to enjoy different natural and social situations – one way is through creative activities because making poems, music and art all involve slowing down and enjoying; another way is through practical activities such as gardening and sports.
Can you tell us about your causes or any charities you are involved with?
I sing with a community gospel choir and we do about 30 concerts, weddings, funerals etc every year for charity. Last year we raised £10,000 for charities including children’s hospices and cancer care.
Can you please tell us a little bit about your dreams?
I don’t have any fixed dreams – I go where life takes me and sometimes the most wonderful directions are the least expected.
Car-Mad JACK by Jenny Alexander
Would you please let us know a little bit about what you are now working on in the arena of children’s books?
I’ve always got different ideas in various stages of development. I’m hoping to write some more Car-mad Jack books this year if the first six sell well and I’ve got a fiction series for slightly older children under consideration with several publishers at the moment.
When you were a child what were your favourite Children’s Books?
The only books I possessed as a young child were two Famous Five stories, The Wishing Chair and The Wishing Chair Again by Enid Blyton, but I completely loved them. I didn’t really discover children’s literature until I worked in a branch library as a new graduate, but then I was like a kid in a sweetshop. Wonderful!
To find out more please have a look at the website of Jenny Alexander
