When did you start writing and why?

I used to write a lot as a child, but really got stuck into trying to write a book about ten years ago. Now I have six books and four pantomimes published!

What is your favourite book that you’ve written?

Tricky to answer, like asking a parent which one is their favourite child! I’ll always have a soft spot for my first book, Blue Gold, but I’m easily distracted by the newest shiniest thing, so it’s my latest book, Pax and the Secret Swarm, that is currently my favourite.

What were you like as a child?

Always keen to use my imagination, whether making up stories, inventing board games or playing Dungeons and Dragons.

What superpower would you like to have?

Flight. It would be awesome to zoom over the heads of traffic jams on the way to visit friends and family or going on holiday.

Do you have any pets or what imaginary pet would you have?

We used to have fancy rats. Despite what some might think, they are very clean and have great little personalities.

Where do you write and what do you use?

I’m lucky enough to have a lovely study at home, where I sit and write on my surface laptop, using Word. Very old school, I know.

What happens in your virtual author sessions?

I tell the story of how I became an author, because there are some useful learning points about persistence and picking up new skills, I do a reading from my latest book and I give some time to creative writing tips at the end, using the future as a setting. How much interaction there is depends on the school’s set-up and ability to collect questions/answers from the audience.

What’s the best thing about being an author or illustrator?

I love the excitement on readers’ faces when they hear about a new story and to see their brains fizz with ideas when we try to make up a new story during my talks. Of course, getting lovely feedback about my stories is also very nice!

What’s your favourite book to read?

Favourite book growing up was The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Brilliantly imaginative sci-fi adventure that is also very funny.

And finally, what’s your top writing tip?

Ask yourself lots of ‘what if’ questions. For example, what if I woke up tomorrow morning and could fly? What would I do with that superpower? And keep a notepad handy to jot down the answers whenever they pop into your head.

You can book a virtual visit with David through his website here.