Julia Jarman - author

What memories do you have of reading when you were a child?
On the loo, in my bed, snuggled up with my Ted
In the churchyard on grassy ground
In secret places where I couldn't be found
At any table, in any chair, I read everywhere.

Why do you think it is important to help children with their reading?
Reading is a complex skill. Its benefits aren't always obvious to the learner. It's important both to help beginners learn the skills, and to share wonderful books with them, so they know WHY they are learning. Their efforts will be rewarded.

Is there a reason that you chose to write books or poems for children rather than adults?
My own children wanted to hear my stories and asked me to write them down. Once started, I couldn't stop writing for children. Children are a brilliant audience, more imaginative and more receptive to new ideas then adults.

Where and when do you like to read?
See Q1. I haven't changed, though I don't have to be so secretive now. My favourite reading place is bed but not just at bedtime.

Why do you think reading is fun?
It's a sanctuary. I can best answer this with a rhyme I discovered in a café in Bethnal Green. I like it so much I have included it in 'More Jessame Stories'.
A ship is a breath of romance
That carries us miles away
But stories are ships of Fancy
That can sail on any day.

What is your favourite room in your house and why?
My bedroom.

Do you use the internet, and if so, what influence do you think that the internet will have on children's reading habits?
Yes I use it a lot, especially for research. I hope it will put children in touch with lots of books.

Do you ever use your friends/family as models for characters in your book/poems? If so, do you tell them?
Yes I do. Yes I do.

If you weren't an author, what would you be?
I would still be a teacher, which I think is THE MOST IMPORTANT JOB in the world.

What book/poem, or author/poet, has been most influential upon your writing?
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott because it made me want to be a writer, like Jo March, the character I identified with most.

What advice would you give to a child who was interested in becoming an author/poet?
Switch off the telly.
Read read read.
Write write write and sometimes do nothing at all except sit and IMAGINE.

What do you do to relax (apart from read!)?
I garden.

Did you have another career before you became an author/poet?
I was a teacher.

Which are harder to write: fantasy books or those based on real life?
Fantasy I think, though I used to think it was a cop out. Now I know better and I get my greatest satisfaction as a writer when I express my reality through fantasy as I do in 'The Time Travelling Cat' .

What is the best place you have ever been on holiday?
Venice.

Visit Julia's website

Bibliography: Peace Weavers, The Time Travelling Cat, Big Red Bath, Kangaroo's CanCan Café and many others.