When did you start writing and why?

As soon as I was able to, so all my life. I use writing to explore my thoughts and help me process things that have happened or are happening. Writing has been my one, life-long, companion.

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

Call Me Lion is my favourite book because it genuinely creates a positive ripple in people’s lives and I feel enormously proud to be the author.

And my next due to be published book (which I’m not officially supposed to talk about!) because I worked on it with my now almost grown-up daughter, Sasha. It’s a deeply personal family story which Sasha and I have fictionalised together, as we both believe sharing it will help others.

What were you like as a child?

Attention seeking and obsessed with horses – probably very annoying. I was a much more horrible version of Natalie – my main character in Project Pony.

What superpower would you like to have?

To be able to effortlessly speak and understand all the languages in the world, which includes animal ones too.

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

I have three; a black and white (Tuxedo) cat called Bibs; a curly-haired, Bedlington Terrier, Spaniel Cross called Stanley (who is now a very old, smelly dog and get used a lot for promo) and, although I don’t officially own him, a beautiful Arab cross, X-polo pony called Turko. I would have loads and loads and loads of pets if I could but I can’t. 

Where do you write and what do you use?

When I’m at home I mainly write straight onto my laptop  (using a big screen) in the office pod, which is at the bottom of my tiny garden. I’m very close to a train station and hear the trains rattle past all the time. Ideas/thoughts go into notebooks and I write a diary too.

What happens in your virtual author sessions?

I can tailor the session to suit the school but usually I talk a little bit about me, my books and my writing process, then there is a short, fun activity where kids can have a go at their own writing, then we share and I answer any questions.

What’s the best thing about being an author?

Meeting or hearing from readers, because then I know the characters and stories that have been in my head have become real. It’s magical being a children’s author – a dream come true for me.

What’s your favourite book you have read?

It is impossible to answer what my favourite book is!  I believe books need to arrive in your life at exactly the right moment in order for you to fully appreciate them. I have memorable books, books that I cannot pass on because of a personal attachment and books that I love and want share with others, but not one overall favourite. In honesty, I rarely re-read books now as there are so many new ones. My favourite books are character led stories; people to me are eternally fascinating. 

And finally, what’s your top writing tip?

My biggest tip is to read like a writer (work out how the writer is telling the story), then write like a reader (be as free as you can to let it all out). Let yourself be a rubbish writer. You can always edit words to make them better, but you can’t edit a blank page.

You can book a virtual visit with Camilla via her website at www.camillachester.com/visitsevents