From a philosophical treatise to a picture book story I guess there is only one reason why anyone feels the urge to write. There is a story inside that is bursting to be set free. And once the word is out hundreds and even thousands of story ideas start vying for position, demanding to be heard. But when the writing bug really takes hold there is nothing on earth that will halt the unstoppable force?writing becomes part of life!

Why write for children?

'?m often asked this question and there's a simple answer. Writing fantasy adventure for the younger reader is so much fun. It allows for much greater creativity and freedom of imagination. Even though it requires the same strict disciplines that other forms of writing demand, ideas can go in so many more directions. Animals can talk! Cars can fly! People can disappear and reappear. As long as there is a plausible reason, anything is possible. Worlds, even universes can collide? all in the name of entertainment. And when I start writing for children that is my overriding goal. I want to entertain, to take them on an exciting journey of discovery where nothing else in the world matters, where they just want to snuggle up, keep turning the pages until they get to the very end.

Ideas?

The first question I am always asked by non-writers is?where do you get your ideas from? The truth is most writers eventually accumulate more ideas than they will ever use in one single lifetime. That may sound rather blas? but it's true. Writers become idea magnets. Their thoughts become so tuned-in to life that it becomes second nature to turn every interesting situation into the next big storyline.

Unfortunately that's not to say that every idea is going to be the next bestseller of blockbuster movie. But in all essence, ideas are everywhere: personal life, every day life, in the past, dreams, overheard gossip even. To the trained mind even a germ of information can form the beginning, middle, or even the ending of a storyline. However, even a brilliant idea does not guarantee success. Writing is a craft that requires discipline, hard work and determination, and'a spark of luck!

Ideas for children?

For children make-belief is not a game. Just watch any child acting out their fantasies in the playground. Their imaginations are so powerful, their minds so fresh and receptive. For them, make-belief is real. They can invent so many characters, situations, rules and regulations that just have to be adhered to. For me, the brainstorming process usually starts visually; I see something of interest in my mind's eye. I'm always aware that when writing for children it's vital that everything must be plausible and believable. But most of all the reading experience should be exciting, fun, even scary. Children love fantasy, to be taken on a very special journey of discovery where reality is suspended and they can escape into that magical world called? make-believe.

Archy the Flying Dolphin & The Vampire's Curse by Alan Williams follows the story of eleven year old Thomas Parkinson and his sister, Suzy, who spend a summer vacation with Uncle Fibber, an ex fisherman who lives at Sneaky Cove. After listening to one of his scary stories, Thomas and Suzy reenact his sea-faring adventure on the nearby beach and find a dolphin trapped inside the wreck of an old fishing trawler. But they soon realize that they've invoked an evil curse that has banished their beloved uncle into the never-ending darkness. So they are compelled to find the only person able to break the evil curse. Trouble is Victoria von Vampire loves to boil kids in her Coffin Pot Stew...