Jacqueline Wilson had her first story published when she was seventeen and was a journalist for several years before taking up writing full-time. She has now written over thirty children's books, two of which were shortlisted for the Young Observer Teenage Fiction Prize and one for the Smarties Book Award. She has one grown-up daughter and lives in Surrey with her husband and 10,000 books!

PLACE AND DATE OF BIRTH:
Bath, Somerset 17.12.45
FAVOURITE BOOK:
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
MOST TREASURED POSSESSION:
Radish, my little rabbit lucky mascot.
FAVOURITE SONG:
'These are the days of my life' -Freddie Mercury and Queen
FAVOURITE FILM:
Thelma and Louise

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When did you start writing?

I've been writing stories since I was six years old (very little ones in those days!). I had my first short story published when I was 17, and managed to get a novel published when I was 24.

Where do you get your ideas?

I don't kn...

PLACE AND DATE OF BIRTH:
Bath, Somerset 17.12.45
FAVOURITE BOOK:
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
MOST TREASURED POSSESSION:
Radish, my little rabbit lucky mascot.
FAVOURITE SONG:
'These are the days of my life' -Freddie Mercury and Queen
FAVOURITE FILM:
Thelma and Louise

---

When did you start writing?

I've been writing stories since I was six years old (very little ones in those days!). I had my first short story published when I was 17, and managed to get a novel published when I was 24.

Where do you get your ideas?

I don't know - ideas just seem to pop into my head!

Can you give your top three tips to becoming a successful author?

1. Read lots.

2. Keep a diary to get into a diary writing habit.

3. Write as if you're confiding in your best friend.

Favourite memory?

A magical day at the seaside with my daughter Emma - we paddled, we walked for miles along the cliffs, we ate fish and chips and ice cream and watched a wonderful fiery sunset at the end of a perfect day.

Favourite place in the world and why?

Boston in America - it's an exciting city with lots of bookshops, a fantastic art gallery and super places to eat.

What are your hobbies?

Reading (I have 10,000 books crammed into my tiny house), going to art galleries and films, swimming, and line dancing.

If you hadn't been a writer, what do you think you would have been?

I'd have probably worked in a bookshop. Maybe I'll open my own second-hand bookshop one day!

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