What is your writing process like?
I'm a planner - I like plot the whole structure out in full, scene by scene. And then, when I come to write - I usually go way off piste and have to resturcture everything all over again. Until at some magical point, usualy about half way through the book... the plot and structure settles down and I race to finish.
How do you come up with ideas for stories and characters?
I write kids books and most of my ideas come from kids. I've got my own kids and they're the perfect age for my books (7 - 12) and so they're a brilliant source of inspiration. but to be honest the ideas are the easy bit. It's completing the books that takes the effort.
What do the words “writer’s block” mean to you?
There's a tree in some parkland near us. if get stuck writing I go and sit up the tree with my laptop. And i don't let myself get down until I've written 500 words. It hasn't failed yet.
How do you process and deal with negative book reviews?
I don't read them.
What is the most challenging part of your writing process?
I think writing the middle third of a book. The first and last thirds write themselves but the middle third is when all the doubts and uncertainty comes in.
How long have you been writing, or when did you start?
I started writing kids books when I was a kid - aged about 9. But then I stopped for a few decades until my own kids were reading. My first kids book was published with Simon & Schuster in 2021 and I've been writing ever since.
What advice would you give writers working on their first book?
Make sure you read and read in the sub-genre, and then when you're ready to write your own book - don't read anything more.
Oh, and Good Luck
How do you develop your plot and characters?
I always start with characters. My books are comedy and 90% of that comes from clashing characters who we recognise and love from our own lives. Each character is usually an amalgam of real people - and as i write character notes I scribbled down actual things they would say. Half of that usually ends up finding its way into dialogue in the book.
The plots I find easier once I have the characters - my biggest struggle is keeping the plot neat and elegant. I usually start with some elegant but sturggle not to veer off on a tangent.
How many books have you written, and which is your favorite?
My favourite book is usually my latest book. At the moment I'm just about to publish a new kids Sci-Fi comedy: called How to Survive the Future. It's the sort of book I would have absolutely loved as a kid. And I get a thrill thinking of kids falling in love with the story and the comedy.
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/How-to-Survive-The-Future/Larry-Hayes/9781471198397
What part of the book did you have the hardest time writing?
My first book: How to Survive Without Grown Ups took many edits. And by the end it was all worth it. But there some points along the way when I despaired ever getting it to the finish line.
What inspired the idea for your book?
My first book was based on a story I told my kids in a cafe. They wanted to know about the future - so I made up a comedy Sci Fi adventure over some hot chocolates.
What was your hardest scene to write, and why?
Probably the scene where the hero thinks her mum has died. It made my editor cry.
What do you need in your writing space to help you stay focused?
Ear buds and a good playlist from the 70s, and 2010s
If you could spend a day with another popular author, whom would you choose?
Neal Stephenson, so I could give him some of my ideas.
When was the last time you Googled yourself and what did you find?
I've never done it! Should I?