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I Spy an Author
Anthony Horowitz is the author of the Alex Rider series, which follows the adventures of a teenage spy! Answers your questions!
Questions & Answers: Anthony Horowitz
1. I know many authors write books that refer to their childhoods. Do you? —Breighlynn, age 11 Anthony Horowitz: I think my slightly odd and unhappy childhood may have had something to do with my becoming a children's writer and I have referred to it in some of my older books—Granny and Groosham Grange in particular. But the bulk of my books have nothing to do with my childhood. 2. When you were younger, did you always want to be an author? —Ruth, age 11 Anthony Horowitz: Yes. I knew I wanted to be an author from the age of eight. 3. How did you get the idea for the Alex Rider series? —Robert, age 11 Anthony Horowitz: The ideas for the Alex Rider books usually begin with something I read in the newspapers. For example, someone wanted to put a hotel in outer space—and that inspired Ark Angel. 4. Why did you choose for Alex to be 14? Why not older? —Emma, age 13 Anthony Horowitz: 14 is such an interesting age—not quite a child, not quite an adult but somewhere in between. If he were any older he wouldn't be so useful to MI6. At 14, he's beyond suspicion! 5. How did you keep your books interesting? How long does it generally take you to write a chapter or so? —Rebecca, age 13 Anthony Horowitz: I usually write one chapter at one sitting...say about ten hours. I keep them interesting by immersing myself in them and forgetting everything else. When I write a scene for Alex, I am Alex! 6. Do you ever get writer's block? Are there any special tricks you have for coming up with story ideas? —Jennimarie, age 12 Anthony Horowitz: I'm always working on two or three projects at the same time so if I'm blocked on one, I move to another. But I seldom get blocked, to be honest. I think about my books all the time...walking the dog, in the bath, etc. So by the time I come to write, I know what I'm going to do. 7. What was your favorite book when you were a kid? —Lulu, age 12 Anthony Horowitz: Tintin: Prisoners of the Sun. (It's a sort of comic book by the great French writer/artist, Herge). 8. If you were stranded on a desert island and could bring three things with you, what would you bring? —Hailey, age 13 Anthony Horowitz: Pen. Paper. Ink. 9. What are you hoping to achieve through writing the Alex Rider series? —Ashton, age 15 Anthony Horowitz: All I'm hoping to do is to keep entertaining and interesting young readers. Stories come into my head and I have to put them down on paper. That's why I'm a writer. 10. I love your books. Are you going to make all the Alex Rider books into movies? —Omari, age 10 Anthony Horowitz: If Stormbreaker does well, we'll move on and do Point Blanc next. It all comes down to how many tickets are sold. What is certain though is that there'll be more Alex Rider books. I'm already hard at work on number seven: Snakehead. Find out more!
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