Catalyst 2010 – do you know the winner?

The Catalyst team have already started work for next year, and we’re looking for your help.

If you’ve read any book that was published between 1st July 2008 and 30th June 2009 that deserves to be a Catalyst book, please let us know by replying to this post.

If you’re not sure of the publication date, please check with your Librarian or LRC Manager.

Questions and Answers

At the Catalyst Awards ceremony, the audience had the chance to ask the authors questions. Some people aimed at all the authors, while others were more specific about particular novels.

Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time to ask every questions at the Awards, but Garry, Helena, Simon and Theresa have taken the time to provide the following answers to all the questions that we didn’t have time for.

The Catalyst Committee would like to express our appreciation for their kindness and generosity for doing so.

Simon Morden Q & A

What book are you reading just now? (Amy)

Because I try not to read fiction while I’m writing, I get through quite a lot of non-fiction stuff. I’ve just started ‘Planet Narnia’ by Michael Ward, which is his attempt to work out whether C.S. Lewis had an over-arching theme that unites the seven Narnia books. The last fiction book I read was ‘Dandelion Wine’ by the American author Ray Bradbury. Which was utterly wonderful.

How did you start writing your book? (Sara)

Because I don’t plan anything out before I start, I quite literally sit in front of a blank page and type ‘Chapter 1’. I have a vague idea of what I want to write about – a scene, a person, perhaps just a single image. I find out what’s going on as I write. It’s a bit scary!

Where did you get your initial ideas? (Sarah, Sophie, Ainsley)

Almost anything can set off an idea that I use – something I see or hear, a news report perhaps, or even a dream. I also steal shamelessly from other stories that I’ve read or been told. All authors do, as there’s only supposed to be seven basic plots.

Are the main characters based on people you have met? (Lauryn)

Sort of. They’re not people I’ve met in real life – the characters tend to turn up in the story, unannounced and fully formed, as if they were real. Tolkien (who wrote Lord of the Rings) called his writing ‘an act of sub-creation’, meaning that while he was creating an imaginary world, filled with imaginary people, it didn’t make that creation any less real than the one we live in.

Have you ever had writer’s block? (Jemma)

Sometimes when I’m writing, I can’t quite see the way ahead. It’s not a block as such, more a fog that I have to feel my way through. Usually, the fog suddenly clears after a couple of days, and I can see everything clearly again. Then it’s write, write, write.

What comes first – characters or plot? (Hayleigh)

In my stories, the two are inextricably linked. The very same plot would have a completely different trajectory if other characters were involved. I like the idea of a protagonist – a chief actor in ancient Greek theatre – who can influence the outcome of the plot. Otherwise it’s just a bunch of people wandering around, having stuff happen to them which is outside of their control.

Will you write a sequel? (Daniel)

I might – I’ve got an urge to do a prequel first, telling the story of how Va and Elenya met, and the siege of Novy Rostov where Va crushes the army of the Caliphate at such a terrible cost. Think of the battle for Stalingrad in WWII, but with spears.

Do you have other books to write in mind? (Amy)

Yes. I have done, in fact: three so far, and if my publisher gets a grip, they’ll eventually emerge from the dark pit they’re currently languishing in. ‘Pax’ is a war story, fought on the first Earth-like world humanity discovers, and I’ve also written the first two books in a trilogy revolving around artificial intelligence, nuclear terrorism, science, and lots and lots of guns.

Who are your role models? (Caileigh)

When it comes to writing role models, the authors I admire are the ones whose stories I like best – sometimes it’s better not to dig too deep about the person behind the page, because not all writers are the charming, liberal and self-controlled souls you might imagine them to be. Actually meeting your idols can shatter all sorts of illusions, and not in a good way…

I was brought up on SF, so I have to name writers like Isaac Asimov, Arthur Clarke, Harry Harrison, Brian Aldiss and Frank Herbert. Later on it was people like Orson Scott Card, Larry Niven and Fred Pohl. Fantasy writers like CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien had a profound influence on me, too, but my favourite writer has to be Ray Bradbury. I wish I had his talent.

What came first – the chicken or the egg? (Joe)

What initially seems to be an unsolvable puzzle turns out to reasonably simple once you know some evolutionary biology. Genes are passed down from parents to offspring – a mix from both parents. However, if the genes passed down have mutated away from those of the parent, the expression of those mutated genes would be first seen in the offspring. If those differences are significant, the offspring could be considered to be a different subspecies to its parents. So the first domestic chicken would have hatched from an egg laid by some bird that closely resembled a domestic chicken but was genetically different from it. The egg was, therefore, first.

What inspired you to write books? (Brogan, Amanda, Staci, Bronwen, Abbie)
Did you ever think you would become a writer? (Katie & Rebecca)
Did you always want to be a writer? (Kirsten)

I almost fell into writing by accident. I tried my hand at a fantasy novel while I was writing my PhD, just to throw all the hard science into some relief. Then I was let down by one particular author, who I read avidly, but was so disappointed by his last book that I decided I’d write the sequel he hadn’t managed and I wanted so badly. That was a book called Heart, and it was my first published novel.

What gave you the idea for ‘The Lost Art’ as it is so original? (Daniel)

Part of the writer’s job is to make tired old ideas shiny and new. One American reviewer has described The Lost Art as a cross between ‘A Canticle for Liebowicz’ and ‘Northern Lights’, in that it resembles both the lost science plot of Canticle and the fantasy quest of Pullman’s book. Writers of every generation will take old ideas and put them in new contexts – stories continually evolve, getting retold by different societies and cultures, until they might not resemble anything that’s gone before. Again, that’s part of the writer’s job, to reinterpret earlier myths and legends for a contemporary audience.

Do you like books by Asimov? (Amy)

I grew up on books by Isaac Asimov – I managed to get hold of his collected short stories quite early on, and then discovered the Foundation trilogy. That Asimov’s Laws of Robotics are still taken seriously today by those designing artificial intelligences is a legacy almost as great as his books. He was one of the giants of the ‘Golden Age’ of science fiction, and while his style was a touch clunky, he always managed to tell a good story.

Why did you choose SciFi as your favourite genre? (Gordon)

It chose me. It affected me in a way quite unlike any other form of literature. It opened the possibility of the future to me, as well as the idea that we can choose which future we want to live in. I’m a fan of fantasy, too, but my heart belongs to science fiction.

Theresa Breslin Q&A

What book are you reading just now? (Amy)
I’m reading Spider by Linda Strachan – very exciting!

How did you start writing your book? (Sara)
I usually use a pencil and notepad for first notes and just scribble words and phrases that come into my head.

Where did you get your initial ideas? (Sarah, Sophie, Ainsley)
Ideas come from young people, newspapers, television, and lots of other places. For The Nostradamus Prophecy the idea came just after The Medici Seal was published when I’d found out a bit about one of the Medici family – Catherine of Medici. She became a very powerful Queen of France and had the reputation of poisoning those who got in her way. I thought she’d be very interesting to write about.

Are the main characters based on people you have met? (Lauryn)
I never totally base a character on a real person. I use bits here and there. But with historical fiction I think there’s an obligation to find out as much as you can about the person who lived long ago and then be as true as possible to that person’s thoughts and feelings.

Have you ever had writer’s block? (Jemma)
I’ve never been totally blocked, but I do get stuck all the time – usually beginning about chapter 8. Then I go for long walks and take some time off and let the imaginative side of my brain catch up.

What comes first – characters or plot? (Hayleigh)
Sometimes it’s one and sometimes the other. With The Nostradamus Prophecy it was definitely characters. I wanted to write about this infamous Queen of France and then I found out that she consulted this self-styled prophet called Nostradamus, so I knew that I would be able to find a story there.

Will you write a sequel? (Daniel)
The book that I’m just finishing is not a sequel exactly but it is set round about the same time. It’s called The Prisoner of the Inquisition. It’s due out next April and is set in Spain during the time of the Inquisition, but also when Christopher Columbus was trying to get financial backing for his great plan to sail across the Atlantic.

Do you have other books to write in mind? (Amy)
Yes indeed! Lots and lots.
There’s not enough time in the day for me to write down all the stories I have in my head.

Did you ever think you would become a writer? (Katie & Rebecca)
No I didn’t ever think I’d be a writer. I thought you had to be very rich to become a writer.

What inspired you to write books? (Brogan, Amanda, Staci, Bronwen, Abbie)
I was working on a mobile library when something happened in one of the villages we visited. I wrote a book about that and it won a prize and was published.

Who are your role models? (Caileigh)
I think the biggest influence in my writing was my English teacher and also reading Dickens. I know Charles Dickens might be thought a bit old-fashioned nowadays but to me he is the Master Storyteller.

What came first – the chicken or the egg? (Joe)
Dunno – not quite sure what you’re asking Joe. Am I being exceptionally slow?

Did you always want to be a writer? (Kirsten)
I didn’t ever think of being a writer. I never thought it was something I could make a living from

Do you prefer writing for young adults? (Amanda & Adriana)
I love writing for all age groups, but yes, young adult writing is particularly rewarding.

What made you write about Nostradamus? (Drew)
I think Nostradamus is the most incredibly interesting character, and perhaps, just perhaps, he possessed unique telepathic powers far in advance of his time and ours. Some of his prophecies appear to have come true…. Mysterious…very mysterious…

Helena Pielichaty – Q&A

Many thanks to Helena Pielichaty for sending us these replies to our audience’s questions.

Helena Pielichaty at the 2009 Catalyst Awards

What book are you reading just now? (Amy Herbert, St Ambrose HS)
Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy. Funnily enough I picked it up at one of the libraries I visited during the Catalyst Book Awards. I began reading it in the library and thought it looked good so I bought it last week. Am enjoying it so far – loving the humour.

How did you start writing your book? (Sara, Brannock HS)
I jot down some loose ideas on an A3 piece of paper and start from there.

Where did you get your initial ideas? (Sarah, Sophie, & Ainsley, Bellshill Academy)
Who knows? Joanna Trollope once said that ideas are like aeroplanes above your head waiting to land. I have about five circling at the moment, running out of fuel.

Are the main characters based on people you have met? (Lauryn, Greenfaulds HS)
No. I rarely base characters on people I know – it’s too intrusive.

Have you ever had writer’s block? (Jemma Mitchell, Cardinal Newman HS)
I’ve had writer’s stuck, where it takes longer to figure out what’s going to happen next.

What comes first – characters or plot? (Hayleigh Kemp, Brannock HS)
Idea. I don’t plot, as such. The characters emerge as I write.

Will you write a sequel? (Daniel Parkinson, St Maurice’s HS)
To Accidental Friends? Probably not. I kind of know what would happen afterwards but I doubt I could get a book out of it. I reckon each character could have a book of hteir own, though. Now there’s a thought!

Do you have other books to write in mind?(Amy Scott, Greenfaulds HS)
Always. Am on book 8 of 12 in the Girls FC series with two ideas circling waiting to land for after book 12.

Did you ever think you would become a writer? (Kate Tomlinson & Rebecca Divine, Bellshill Academy)
No. I hadn’t a clue. I kept diaries in my teens but never wrote fiction or anything. I’m still not sure how it happened but I’m glad it did.

What inspired you to write books?(Brogan Smith (Kilsyth Academy), Bronwen (Clyde Valley HS), Staci Brady (St Maurice’s HS) and Amanda Baird (Kilsyth Academy)
It was more an urge than an inspiration. Once I hit my 30s something kept nudging me to write and once I started I couldn’t stop.

Who are your role models? (Caileigh Mitchell, Cardinal Newman HS)
Katie Price and Geri Halliwell. Oh, you mean seriously? From the writing world? Morris Gleitzman, Beverly Cleary, Pearl S Buck, Frank Cottrell Boyce, Roddy Doyle – well, anyone Irish, basically – Judy Blume, Paula Danziger, Anne Tyler…

What came first – the chicken or the egg? (Joe King, St Maurice’s HS)
God only knows (!) You tell me, Joe.

Did you always want to be a writer? (Kirsten Liddell, Bellshill Academy)
Nope. See Katie and Rebecca’s Q & A

What made you write about 4 teenagers at college? (Jeni McAlpine, Greenfaulds HS)
I had written a book with two narrators (Never Ever) and wanted to do that again with 4.

Was ‘Accidental Friends’ based on a real life incident? (Emma)
No specific incidents. I did once teach a boy similar to James in that he blew his GCSEs on purpose. His reason was different from James’ though – he didn’t want to look like a ‘boff’ in front of his mates. I wonder what happened to him?

‘Accidental Friends’ is a great book. Will you write others like it? (Kerry McIntyre, Cardinal Newman HS)
Thank you, Kerry. I do plan to write another teen book once I’ve finished Girls FC. While you’re waiting, you might like to read ‘Never Ever’ or ‘Saturday Girl’. Available in all good bookshops…

Is consequences a real game which you played? (Katie, Taylor High)
Yeah! Have you never played? When you’re little it’s a fun way to pass a dull Sunday but when you’re about 15 the answers can get disgusting – so it’s a winner all round!

Garry Kilworth’s Q&A

Thanks to Garry for his Q&A answers below.

What book are you reading just now? (Amy Herbert, St Ambrose HS)
Hi Amy – I’m reading a novel called ‘Coraline’ by Neil Gaiman. It’s just been made into a film, but I like to read the book before I go to the cinema to see the same story. Neil is a very good children’s author.

How did you start writing your book? (Sara, Brannock HS)
Hi Sara – I started making notes when I visited Prague in 2004 but it took me at least two years before I actually sat down to write it. By then I had lots of information on the Czech Republic, Franz Kafka and motorbikes.

Where did you get your initial ideas? (Sarah, Sophie, & Ainsley, Bellshill Academy)
Hello Sarah, Sophie and Ainsley – It’s very difficult to say where ideas for books come from. They just seem to pop into my head. I get most of my best ideas when I’m listening to music.

Are the main characters based on people you have met? (Lauryn, Greenfauld’s HS)
Hi Lauryn – Yes, some of them are, and some are based on myself when I was young. Jack is me when I was fourteen. I went to an military training camp at that age just like Jack in the book, so I knew all the things he would have to do in such a place. By 17 I was in the Malaysian jungle with a rifle in my hands so I knew just how Jack would feel when faced by an angry mob.

Have you ever had writer’s block? (Jemma Mitchell, Cardinal Newman HS)
Hello Jemma – Yes, but only very occasionally. I get it when I can’t think what to do with my character next. A good writer friend of mine says, ‘When I can’t think of what to do with my hero, he usually falls ill, so that takes up another chapter.’ I think that’s cheating a bit, so I just wait until I can figure out the next scene.

What comes first – characters or plot? (Hayleigh Kemp, Brannock HS)
Hi to you, Hayleigh – Depends on what sort of book I’m writing, but plot usually comes first and the characters form as I’m thinking about the plot. However, when I write historical novels the plot has been written for me, so I concentrate on the fictitious characters who I fit into scenes of history as if they were actually there.

Will you write a sequel? (Daniel Parkinson, St Maurice’s HS)
Wotcher Daniel (as we say round our way) – I don’t really think so, but you never know. If the novel was really successful I might, or if it was made into a film.

Do you have other books to write in mind? (Amy Scott, Greenfaulds HS)
Hi Amy – Yes, I would like to write a novel set in Ancient Greece, about a Greek boy who becomes a spy and travels to Persia (the Persians were the enemies of the Greeks in BC times). It was a very dangerous business and Nico (my hero) will have to get information back to Athens and Sparta where the Greek armies are expecting an invasion from the Persians.

Did you ever think you would become a writer? (Kate Tomlinson & Rebecca Divine (Bellshill Academy)
Hello Kate and Rebecca – I always wanted to be a writer, even as a boy of 12. I read lots of books, mostly by Rudyard Kipling and Edgar Rice Boroughs, who wrote fantasy stories. ‘King Solomon’s Mines’ was one of my favourites. So I started with stories at school and kept writing them until I was published.

What inspired you to write books? (Brogan Smith (Kilsyth Academy), Bronwen (Clyde Valley HS), Staci Brady (St Maurice’s HS) and Amanda Baird (Kilsyth Academy)
Wow, list of names here – hi girls – I suppose reading other writers. Apart from those above, I liked Robert Louis Stevenson and Edgar Allen Poe who wrote very spooky stories.

Who are your role models? (Caileigh Mitchell, Cardinal Newman HS)
Hello Caileigh – My role models have already been mentioned in previous questions, but a very early one I haven’t spoken about was Richmal Crompton, a woman writer who wrote Just William stories. You may or may not have heard of these stories about a very middle class boy of 12 who was always getting into trouble with his gang, The Outlaws – the other boys were Ginger, Henry and Douglas, and the girl who screamed until she was sick was Violet Elizabeth Bott.

What came first – the chicken or the egg? (Joe King, St Maurice’s HS)
Hummm, Joe, are you pulling my leg, or what? This old chestnut is actually easy to solve. The amoeba slooowwwly became a fish, the fish eventually grew legs and walked out onto the land, once on the land it gradually changed into a chicken, then it laid an egg. Or the other way around.

Did you always want to be a writer? (Kirsten Liddell, Bellshill Academy)
Hi Kirsten, last but not least – The plain answer to that is, almost always, since I can’t remember when I first decided I was going to be a writer but it must have been when I was very young. I think I went to see a film called ‘The Philadelphia Story’ about a newspaper reporter (James Stewart) and from that moment on I was hooked. I didn’t become a reporter of course – that’s a very different kind of writing – but instead went down the road of novels and stories.

Best wishes to all of you,
Thanks for looking after me when I was in Scotland,

Garry

Cheers!

Helena Pielichaty gave us a mention on her blog (scroll down to October 11th and October 4th) with some great pictures (and lovely compliments!).

It was certainly great to have you here, Helena!

Darren Shan

Report from Kirsten Scott, LRC Manager, Braidhurst High School

Six Braidhurst High School pupils were lucky enough to attend the highly anticipated Darren Shan Shocktober event at Wishaw Library on Thursday 8th October. All those in attendance were riveted to their seats as Darren performed extracts from his books: ‘Lord Loss’, his newest release ‘Hells Heroes’ and from a still to be published novel focussing on the early life of one of Shan’s most famous fictional characters Lartan Crepsley.

Afterwards the audience posed a series of questions to Darren about his life and books which he answered in entertaining detail. The event ended with fans having the opportunity to get their books signed by Darren and have their photograph taken with their favourite author.

Helena Pielichaty @ Braidhurst HS

Report from Mrs Scott, LRC Manager, Braidhurst High School, Motherwell

Helena Pielichaty visits Braidhurst High School, Motherwell

On Wednesday 7^th October girls from S2 and S3 were treated to an author visit from children’s author and Catalyst Award nominee Helena Pielichaty.  During the event, everyone thoroughly enjoyed hearing Helena’s tales from her childhood and her former career as an English teacher right up to her current life as a children’s writer. 

Helena was also a joy to watch as she recited passages from her books: ‘Saturday Girl’ and ‘Accidental Friends’ complete with accents and hilarious actions.  A smaller group of girls were then given the chance to meet with Helena and have their photograph taken with her in the school library.  All in all this was another exciting author visit for Braidhurst pupils.

Voting over …

Well, all the votes are in and they’ve been counted. Only a handful of people know who’s won this year’s Catalyst Award and they’re not sharing until the ceremony on October 8th.

Obviously I’m not going to spill the beans, but I will admit that the final result was close – really close.

Keep your fingers crossed for your favourite.