LEAH PROCTER
Do you write for mainly adults or children? Mainly children but I would like to write for adults one day
If for children do you illustrate books yourself? No I don’t as I haven’t tried yet
Is this your first attempt at writing a book and what made you want to write it? Yes this is the first time I have written a book as I felt I needed to express myself through writing.
Is the book based on fact or fiction and where did you get the story idea from? The book is fiction and I got the idea from my family because they are very interesting people.
How long did it take you to write the book? Around 3 weeks
Do you have a writing routine or just write when you feel like it? I just write something when I get an idea or when I feel like expressing my feelings
Rewriting/editing - do you love it or hate it? I actually like it because I can learn from my mistakes and change the way I write
Which novelists do you admire and did they have any influence on your writing? I admire my Grandma (Ann Brady) as she had a bit influence on my writing
Has it been difficult to get your first book published and if so what advice would you give other writers? It wasn’t so difficult and I would advise others to write what they feel
Do you think you will attempt to write another book and if so what would it be about? I am in the middle of writing another book which is about Zombies
In what ways do you market your book? My Grandma does everything for me and I’m so thankful
What advice would you give to an aspiring novelist? Write about what you feel
Finally, please give a short summary of ‘you the person’ that would be of interest to our visitors: Well, I believe I am a fun and interesting person but I guess some people may feel uncertain about me when I burst out with random words. I was born in England and travelled a lot when little but finally moved and settled down in Australia when I was 7. I am now 14 and love my new home. I think that I am good at writing because I know how to write what I feel. Ever since I was little I have loved to go to the theatre.
Leah was 13 when she wrote ‘My Family’ for which she received a Commendation from the University of Winchester after we entered her story in their annual writing competition.