Richard Dodd's Blog: Richard Dodd - All Things Write - Posts Tagged "fantasy"

I have been writing my entire life. I was born in Liverpool and grew up listening to The Beatles, two of their songs in particular spoke to me from a young age and continue to do so thirty years later. 'Paperback Writer' was the main one for obvious reasons. The other, 'Across The Universe' has a line "Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup" which has stuck with me for as long as I can remember. On a good day, the words flow out of me and onto the page!

The first ever story I truly recall penning was when I was around ten years old. My teacher, Miss Devonshire, read it aloud to the class - she said it was very good, but the ending was rubbish! I was so embarrassed. However, she was right, "It was all a dream" is not a suitable ending. But, I mean, come on - I was ten!
Miss Devonshire told me that she believed in me and my ability to write. I never forgot that. In fact, she said that once I published my first book, I should dedicate it to her.

I began working on my first project a few years later. An epic tale of a young witch and her journey to track down her Mother's killer. I worked on it off and on for years.

In 2015, my best friend painted a really cute baby penguin. The painting was called 'Fluffy Hugs'. I decided that it would make an excellent cover and asked my friend if I could use it. He had been my closest friend since 1997 and he was very keen fro Fluffy to become a children's book.

I had read constantly as a child and I love children's books. I had never imagined writing for children but the words came naturally and the book was ready a few months later. I wrote based on what my boys would like to read and made 'Fluffy Hugs' into a magic penguin whose hugs can fix any problem.

The book was published and I have not looked back, publishing two more Fluffy books and a further book - written with my step-son, Zack about a Secret Passageway. Magic and adventure are strong themes in my work and the books are intended to take children into another world.

Enid Blyton has been a huge influence on my writing. I devoured many of her books as a child and can remember actual lines of text from her books.

I am now a published author and it's amazing to say that. It has been my dream since I was little! The reason I am writing this now, is that I have been lucky enough to visit schools in my local area to talk about my books and have just been invited to open the new library in one of the schools. This is yet another landmark in what has been an incredible two years.

Thanks for reading.

If there is one thing you take from this - follow your dreams, always.