Q&A WITH LOUIE STOWELL - AUTHOR OF THE DRAGON IN THE LIBRARY (WARNING - INCLUDES POO AND A WEIRD SPACE DUST-EATING CREATURE)
The Dragon in the Library is a fun, fast paced adventure, filled with magic and kids saving the world. We asked author Louie Stowell to answer our burning questions...
Q: What are your top tips for budding authors learning to write funny books?
A: Think about what makes YOU laugh. The more fun you have while you’re writing something, the more other people will find it funny. Also, here are a few simple tips for writing humour:
1) Characters who don’t realise they’re doing something (this is called lack of self-knowledge), especially very pompous characters. Make them do really silly things while insisting that they are serious people who should be taken VERY seriously. This works especially well with adult characters.
2) Read a lot of funny books. The funny will seep into your blood without you noticing. Funny is infectious. You can also, if you’re hardcore, study funny books. When you laugh, think… what did the writer do that made me laugh?
3) Poo. See also farts, burps, wee, vomit.
Q: What is your best tip for kids who are struggling with reading (if a dragon isn’t available)
A: Comics! I have always loved comics, and I think they’re for everyone, from the biggest bookworms to people who’d rather be doing almost anything else except read. It’s a different type of storytelling, and it hooks into a different bit of your brain somehow. Whether you like stories about everyday life or ones about superheroes, there are so many amazing comics out there to discover. Always happy to give recommendations! I’m a big fan of The Phoenix, a weekly comic, but also book series like Amulet – a magical adventure involving giant robots.
Q: What is your fave dragon fact?
A: I love that dragons turn up in mythology all over the world and that, in some countries, such as China, they’re seen as the good guys. I’m Team Dragon, so I appreciate that.
Q: And now.. the killer question... Wow us with something we didn’t already know...
A: Tardigrades - also known as water bears or moss piglets - are microscopic (aka very tiny) creatures that can survive almost anything. They’re so tough they could survive in outer space, or in a volcano. They’re also adorable. Look!
Tardigrades. Adorable? Space monster? Evil clawed dust-burrower? What do you think?
Huge thanks to Louie for sharing her answers and freaking us all out with tardigrades! You can follow Louie on twitter here.
You can grab your copy of The Dragon in the Library from our online shop here!