Introducing the authors who will be at the Tenby Book Fair, http://bit.ly/27XORTh, the first event of the Tenby Arts Festival http://bit.ly/24eOVtl . I’m looking forward to having many more such chats over the next couple of weeks.
So far I’ve interrogated interviewed Rebecca Bryn: http://bit.ly/1XYWbtF, Thorne Moore: http://bit.ly/1P6zDQh , Matt Johnson: http://bit.ly/1RUqJFg , Christoph Fischer: http://bit.ly/1svniAr , Sally Spedding: http://bit.ly/1VNRQci, Wendy Steele: http://bit.ly/1PMoF8i ,Kathy MIles: http://bit.ly/1twN3Bg , Carol Lovekin:http://bit.ly/1Y2z6HT, Colin R Parsons: http://bit.ly/1tvBc5G and Lisa Shambrook: http://bit.ly/28NMI5v: and Alex Martin: http://bit.ly/28VLsQG and Judith Arnopp: http://bit.ly/290cJMl And thanks to Thorne Moore for interviewing me: http://bit.ly/1VTvqGq Over the next week or two I’ll be introducing the rest of the authors. I’ll also be showcasing the publishers who will be in attendance and who will be giving short talks and may be able to give advice to would-be authors: http://honno.co.uk/ , http://www.fireflypress.co.uk/ and http://www.cambriapublishing.org.uk/ ,
There may also be a short chat with John and Fiona of http://showboat.tv/ who, as usual, will be filming the event.
Today I’m nattering with one of my oldest and dearest friends, award winning children’s’ author,Sharon Tregenza.
Hi Sharon, come into my parlour, said the spider … and all that!!
Hmm. I think it’s good to be here. (She is laughing, folks. Honest)
Yes, sorry about that. Just getting into the mood for chatting about children’s books. So, first question. (as if I haven’t already let the cat out of the bag), What kind of writing do you do?
I write for children – mostly mysteries with a touch of magic. I’m working on a Picture Book at the moment, though
Why did you choose to write in your particular genre.
I didn’t, really. It chose me. I was living in the Middle East and got to know a group of writers. Through them I met the editor of a children’s magazine and she asked me to submit some of my work. That grew into a regular stream of stories, articles and verse, all for children. I wrote several hundred pieces over the next twelve years. Great fun
What were you like at school? (Bet I can guess!!)
Small and giggly (Yep!!), oh and speedy. I held the school 100 yards record for years.
Were you good at English?
Yes. I won the English prize three years running. (Now, why doesn’t that surprise me! She is an award winning author after all) Hmm, this is starting to read like an ego fest. (Rubbish!!) Ask me a different type of question.
Okay. Who are some of your favourite authors?
- Louis Sacher
- Norton Juster
- Toni Morrison
- Daphne De Maurier
- John Steinbeck
- Terry Pratchett
- Margaret Attwood
- Thomas Hardy
- Oliver Jeffers
- Maurice Sendak — how long have you got? J (Sniff!! You seem to have missed someone out!)
So, where do you write and what is a typical writing day for you?
There isn’t a typical writing day. I wish there was. It depends on meals, muse and mood. I have frequently tried to follow a set routine, but it never lasts. Late, very late, at night is my favourite time to write though.
Where I write? I live in a lovely converted chapel and although I have a smart study – I mostly write on the dining room table beneath a huge arched window. (I can vouch for this lovely place – had many a great writing weekend there) Eh! Is this my interview or yours (She’s laughing again, so I’m okay)
Sorry. So, tell us, what process did you go through to get your book published?
My first book, ‘Tarantula Tide’ won the Kelpies prize and was immediately published by Floris Books as a result. Entering a competition is an exhilarating way to get published. It all happened very quickly. Exciting.
My next book ‘The Shiver Stone’ was published by Firefly Press.
Serious stuff now! What are you working on at the moment?
I’m working on three books simultaneously. The picture book I mentioned and two Middle Grade mysteries. There are fires and secrets and magical peacocks and missing songbirds all mingled together in my head. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it’s just a big mess. J
What’s next on the horizon for you?
Hopefully I’ll have another book out later this year. I want to finish the three books I’m working on too and have plenty of fun with the process. I’m meeting someone from the Arts Centre this week to talk about giving a course on writing for children. I’ll also be involved with the ‘Summer Reading Challenge’ for children in association with local libraries. That’ll be interesting. So I’ve got lots to look forward to.
And, from the sound of it, so have many children!
Look out for Sharon here.
Website: www.sharontregenza.com
Email: sharontregenza@gmail.com
Facebook: facebook.com/sharontregenzabooks
Twitter: twitter.comsharontregenza
Buying links:
Shiver Stone:
Amazon.co.uk : http://amzn.to/1UagTH5
Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/2935KYm
Firefly Press: http://bit.ly/2935JE2
Tarantula Tide:
Amazon.co.uk: http://amzn.to/292nLCB
Amazon.com:http://amzn.to/292EchQ
Reblogged this on Judith Barrow.
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Looking forward to catching up with the lovely Sharon in Tenby 🙂
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Thank you, Christoph.Jx
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Look forward to seeing you too, Christoph. x
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Pingback: Welsh Wednesdays: Today With Sharon Tregenza / re-blog from Judith Barrow | writerchristophfischer
I remember Sharon from Llandeilo. She’s great with kids!
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Hi Olga, you’re right, she is – she’s great with everyone. I’ve never met anyone else who takes life on the chin like she does and always bounces back.Jx
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Hi Olga, how are you? Thanks for the nice comment.
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Wonderful to be introduced to your friend Sharon, Judith. I love the covers on her books, very unique. 🙂 ❤
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Sharon’s a great friend and a lovely support. We met years ago and were laughing in minutes and never looked back – she often goes over parts of my work I’m not sure of.Jx
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How wonderful to have such a great friendship with the added bonus of being a writer! 🙂 xo
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I know, Debby, I’m so lucky.Jx
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Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Judith Barrow continues with her series of interviews with authors who will be attending the Tenby Book Fair and today Sharon Tregenza author of The Shiver Stone and Tarantula Tide
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Thank you Sally.Jx
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I feel deprived of meeting these great authors being on the other side of the pond. Unfair!
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Ah, Noelle, you’ll just have to visit us.:) jx
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A delightful interview with Sharon Tregenza. The covers are both colorful and so appealing. 😀
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Thanks, Tess.Jx
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Thank to everyone for the lovely comments. Will catch up with some of you at the Tenby Book Fair. The rest of you? Hopefully someday. 🙂
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