I first tried to write a book when I was only 13 or 14 but I didn’t get very far. I remember it started off with two boys walking along a beach. One of them bent down to pick something up but then my mind seemed to go blank! So it was quite a few years later when I first started to write ‘The Sword of Davalon’. I was a qualified teacher having just gained a degree in teaching. I think it was in 1984 when I started the book. I sat down on my bed with a pen and paper and just started to write. There weren’t many PC’s about in 1984!

            I didn’t have a clue about the story - I just started writing about these three children and the story developed. It has changed a great deal over the years until it was published earlier this year, but the main part of the story is still the same.

            But writing is truly fantastic. And when I am really writing fast, something really strange happens. Quite often when I read over what I have written, I cannot remember having written it – parts of the story I simply don’t remember writing. I guess it is something to do with the way our memory works.

            Another amazing thing that happens when I am writing is that I really do feel as though I am there in the story – I see all the characters moving around and talking to each other. My books are dialogue driven, which means that there is a lot of talking. I have to make sure that all the characters get a turn to say something. It would be a terrible mistake if I simply forgot about someone for a long period of time.

            Yet another magical thing about writing is that it is great fun and very rewarding. When someone says to you that they thought your book was fantastic and can’t wait to read the next one then you get an incredible buzz! So kids, don’t just read great books, why not get down to writing your own! And there’s more, because one day I hope that my books will be made into films – it could happen.

Why Dyslexia Friendly?

Reading, reading, reading – it’s what most of us do without thinking, but for some kids it’s a bit more difficult, and that is why my first book, ‘The Sword of Davalon’ has been specially designed to make it Dyslexia Friendly. It doesn’t mean that it’s easy to read, but what we have done is to try and make the printed word just that bit clearer to see and therefore read. I have a similar problem in that I am registered blind, so I use gadgets such as powerful magnifiers and special computer programmes to help me to ‘see’ more easily. Just as for many dyslexics and myself, fancy fonts are difficult to read, no matter how big the letters. Dyslexic kids tend to go for a plain font, which is why my book uses only Arial. Because the print in my books is very clear, this means that they are also suitable for kids with poor eyesight. Having said that, my books are really for all kids – they really are that exciting. I’ve read some great books and I’ve read (and maybe not finished) some not so great books, so as an author I feel that it is my duty to produce something that kids will enjoy. It gets more difficult with every book, but there’s really no point in writing a boring book, is there?   

            When I was a child I loved to read, and I was always popping down to my local library to borrow a book about ‘Biggles, or a ‘Just William’ book or something by Enid Blyton who I still believe to be the greatest of all children’s writers. And I must not forget another of my favourite authors, C.S.Lewis. ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’ is a tremendous book. It is such a wonderful story. I suppose my book is a similar type of book, full of adventure and excitement. And the second book, ‘The Trek of the Rainbow Warriors’ will be even more exciting – I think!

            Not only do we actively promote information about dyslexia but we also encourage kids to go down to their local or school library and check out the books – old or new. You will normally find that kids who read a lot, particularly those who enjoy reading, will have a better chance of success at school and in later life. That’s because reading stimulates the mind by sending it so many incredible amounts of information. Reading also stimulates the imagination. An exciting story is even more important for dyslexic children because some of these kids will have difficulties with concentration and memory, and an exciting story greatly helps with these problems.

            Remember kids, dyslexia can be a bit of a problem, but it can be greatly overcome, and remember this – some of the greatest minds in the history of the world were dyslexic!!!!!!