Q&A with author Carole Anne Carr

Welcome children's author, Carole Anne Carr...

Name one book that made you think 'wow'? Why did it have such an effect on you?
There are many books that I could list, but as I'm a children's author I think I should name one of the books that led me to write for children. Incidentally, it is the same book that led J.K. Rowling to write the Potter series, The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Gouge. The wonderful detailed description would appeal to any young girl.

Who is your favourite author and why? 
There are so many. I'll say J.J. Tolkien for his book The Hobbit. It has everything a children's book should contain.

What is your all-time favourite book cover?
Probably the cover of The Wind in The Willows.

If you could have a dinner party with any authors from any time in history, who would you choose and why?
Anne Fine, Diana Wynne Jones, Enid Bagnold, Beatrix Potter, Lewis Carroll, Richmal Crompton, B.B., John Masefield, Elizabeth Gouge, J.J. Tolkien, and C.S. Lewis because they all write/wrote amazing, original children's books.

Who, or what, inspires you?
Without realising it at the time, it was probably my stoic Father and my creative, caring Mother.

Where is your favourite place to write?
When I'm completely involved in this process it really doesn't matter where I am, I am oblivious of everything around me. When travelling I'll scribble plots, bits of conversation on any scrap of paper I can find. But most of the time I'm at the computer in my study.

What is your latest book about?

My latest book, published a few days ago is Thin Time. It is set in the Shropshire village of Tong, and based upon Norse mythology. A young girl, chosen by mistake to be Task Bearer and given three gifts, must bring back the New Year seeds before midnight to prevent the world from dying. With her small stepbrother Thomas, a bad tempered dog named Fymm who is many centuries old, and Ratatosk the Messenger squirrel, she sets out on a dangerous quest. Chased by gargoyles, and guided by the young girl from the altar tomb in Tong Church, Alice finds the door into the Tree of Life by using the skipping rhyme password and travels into the Other World at Thin Time. Helped by the singing cockerel from the church tower, and armed with a stone and a gargoyle’s shield she must face the terrible Sisters at the Well of Wyrd, and the fury of Nidhogg the Snake-Dragon. But does she possess the one thing that will protect her - a loving heart? For without that, she will never be able to return to her own time, and the treasure, whatever it may be, will never be hers.

If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the main characters?
Preferably an unknown for the girl with lots of personality, and any good classical British actor, actress, for the other parts.

What is your favourite film that was based on a book?
The Box of Delights - John Masefield.

Tell us a random fact about yourself.
I was lost in a forest in Central Africa.

Tell us something interesting about the area where you live.
It is thought to be one of the most beautiful historic towns in England and is also famous for its Michelin starred restaurants.

Winter or summer? Summer now that I am much older.
Ebook or paperback? Ebook is useful for editing my own books, quick download of classics free of charge, but I shall always prefer to hold a paperback. I embrace all new technology, but holding a piece of plastic does not provide the same reading experience. However, the producers of Kindle say that their cold mechanical object will do this.
Favourite food? French food closely followed by Italian. Same for wines!
Sporty or couch potato? Sporty even at my age, work out at the gym three times a week.
Cook or be cooked for? Cook. Adore cooking all European food, oh, and Indian too.

Visit Carole's website at http://caroleannecarr.co.uk and her blog at http://caroleannecarr.blogspot.com

What fabulous answers, Carole. Thank you! I love the sound of your children's story... wonderful!