Caroline Lawrence Interview Aug 2001

August 2001

In her very first interview ever, on 17th August 2001, Caroline Lawrence spoke to Alasdair Thong (aged 11)
below right: Ally interviewing Caroline on the Gatwick Express in August 2001

Where were you born?
I was born in London, England, even though I'm American.

What sort of family do you have?
A grown up son named Simon and my husband Richard.

What sort of a house do you live in?
A riverside flat

Did you have any pets?
When I was a kid I had a dog called Duchess. Later we were adopted by a cat called Mojo. He's since gone to live with my sister-in-law at a wonderful place we call 'Mogworts'. Now Richard and I don't have any pets but we have about ten different species of bird right outside our windows!

What are your hobbies?
Jogging by the river, watching films and surfing the net.

What do you look like?
I am tall and have dark fluffy hair.

What's your favourite food?
I Love Salads and Chocolate. Oh, and lemons...

What's your favourite TV programme?
That is a hard one, probably "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", or maybe "Frasier"

When is your birthday?
May 24th

What sort of music do you like?
I am passionate about Jazz

What's your favourite film?
A film called "A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum" or "Star Wars - a New hope".

What's your favourite colour?
Red

What's your favourite animal?
A Cheetah on land and a Dolphin in water.

Which school did you go to?
I went to Gunn High in Palo Alto, California

Did you have any job apart from writing?
I was a Primary School Teacher

Did you always want to be a writer?
Off and On

Were you ever married?
I was married twice. My first husband is the father of my son. Richard is my current husband. Hmmn. Better make that 'permanent' husband!

How many books are you planning to publish?
In this series (The Roman Mysteries) I would like to produce a minimum of 12, and maximum of 20.

Which is your favourite out of all your books that you have written ?
The Pirates of Pompeii.

Where do you get your ideas from?
From my whole life, everything, people I've know, movies I've seen, books I've read, dreams I've had. Also from myths and Greek vases and the places I visit. Lately I've been getting ideas listening to jazz.

Who is your favourite character in your books?
Another hard one: I guess it would have to be Flavia Gemina

Do you base your characters on real people?
Yes, bits of people.

Which was your favourite book when you were a child?
I loved this book called "My Family and Other Animals" by Gerald Durrell.

What are your favourite books now?
I still love "My Family and Other Animals". But now I also like "Zorba the Greek".

Do you know any other children's writers?
Well, I have met Melvin Burgess. He wrote "Junk". [I have since met Francesca Simon, Morris Gleitzman, Anne Fine, Philip Pullman, Marcus Sedgwick, Terence Blacker, Quentin Blake and Michael Morpurgo!]

Where do you write?
In my study in my Riverside Flat facing a wall covered with pictures.

How long does it take you to write a book?
6 months on average.

Have you got any special ambitions?
Yes I have always wanted an Oscar.

If you could have one wish for the 21st Century what would it be?
[with a wink] "Tougher punishments for parole violaters, oh - and World Peace".

More Author Interviews

April 2002Nov 2001April 2004Oct 2004