So what is the Next Big Thing?  For most of us it's going to be a BOOK, but I don't know, it might be a BABY or a FILM or even a CHOCOLATE CAKE.

I was tagged by the lovely Lydia Syson who is also published by the fantastic Hot Key Books.   We met recently at Folly Farm where we were indulging in a writing weekend. This did not involve writing  (at least for me) but lots of talking and thinking and eating and drinking.

Today I'm also tagging Alex Woolf and my Bristol writing chums, Amanda Mitchison and Tracy Alexander. 

So, to the Next Big Thing Questionnaire, here we go:



• 1) What is the working title of your next book?  
The Spin
• 2) Where did the idea come from for the book? 
I started with a boy, an orphan boy who wanted to become a sky-rider and because he was a poor orphan skivvy in a kitchen that was an impossible dream. So, I had to make it possible. How? Give the orphan a mysterious benefactor, I thought. Then I realised my plot was not some brilliant idea of my own, but the plot of Great Expectations by Charles Dickens. It’s a terrific story. Just the opening sequence makes my skin tingle. So, I helped myself to some elements of Dickens' great book and added flying horses and an Academy for sky-riders on top of Dragon Mountain. What fun!
• 3) What genre does your book fall under? 
Mystery and adventure. Oh, and a bit of fantasy.
• 4) What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition? 
I really can’t imagine because I don’t know any actors who are flying horses . . . or who can ride them.
• 5) What is the one sentence synopsis of your book? 
Against the odds, orphan boy rescues orphan flying horse in thrilling adventure.
• 6) Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? 
An agency, David Higham Associates Ltd.  It will be published by Hot Key Books on 3 January.
• 7) How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?  
About a year. Yes honestly because I’m slow and I wanted it to be good, the best.
• 8) What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?  
 I've tried to keep the flavour of Dickens' books with lots of characters and twists and strange goings on. A couple of reviews have likened it to Rowling or Riordan.
• 9) Who or what inspired you to write this book?  
I wanted to write a book about a lonely dragon but everyone said that there were too many dragon stories so I changed my dragons into winged horses and then the book came alive.
• 10) What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest? 
 It's a page turner. There are multiple little clues and hints about what is really going on. There is a thrilling chase at the end as the spitfyres (the flying horses) battle to reach the Silver Sword. It's funny and sad.