When did you start writing and why?

My first novel, The Doomspell, came out in 2000. I wrote it for my daughter, Rachel, but I was lucky – it got picked up by an agent and published in 26 languages.

What is your favourite book that you’ve written or illustrated?

Probably Going Home, my dog story set in a kennels, aimed at 8-11 year olds.  I wrote it for my wife, who passed away in 2011. She’d loved dogs so much.

What were you like as a child?

Talkative and always asking mostly dumb questions!

What superpower would you like to have?

To change how people think.

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

All my life I’ve had many pets – mostly dogs, but also cats. For a few years I was a fosterer for Battersea Dogs Home.

Where do you write and what do you use?

I write in my study – which is just a converted bedroom.

What happens in your virtual author sessions?

I try to make them as interactive as possible, with lots of screen illustration throughout.

What’s the best thing about being an author?

Getting up whenever you feel like it and getting paid just for having ideas.

What’s your favourite book to read?

The only book I have gone back to read no less than 4 times is the adult SF novel Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. I guess that probably makes it my favourite. I can’t decide on my favourite children’s novel. The two that made the most dramatic impact on me when I first read them are probably I am David by Anne Holm and Once by Morris Gleitzman. 

And finally, what’s your top writing tip?

Don’t give up too soon. When you write something the first draft is never very good. Accept that, take what IS good about it, and write a new draft.

Book a virtual visit with Cliff McNish through his website here.