Angela McAllister 2011 on 'The Double Life of Cora Parry'

Wendy very much enjoyed Anglea's book 'The Double Life of Cora Parry' as it was set in the Victoria period, and wanted to know more about why she shows to write in this time.

Wendy: What was your inspiration for writing a book set in Victorian England?

Anglea: When I started writing about Cora I knew I wanted to explore ideas of identity and to play out moral choices. Because of this I wanted her to be able to develop a double life and for that deception to go unnoticed. When I looked for a setting that would give her opportunity and concealment, the overcrowded, crime-ridden back streets of Victorian London seemed perfect.

Wendy: Fletch is such a complex character - why did you write her out so early in the story.

Anglea: Fletch initiates Cora into the underground world of theft and deception, but she is a very strong character, who would always try to control Cora. Having been coerced into becoming a thief, it is only when Fletch is imprisoned that Cora becomes free to make that choice for herself, for better or worse. With Fletch around, Cora would never have had full responsibility for her choices or ultimately been brought to face her conscience.

Wendy: Did you have to do a lot of research for this book?

Anglea: I did do lots of research of Victorian London before I started writing this book. I needed to feel I could walk the streets and be confident about what I saw around me, what I heard and smelt, what my characters would feel in that place. There are many vivid contemporary accounts available, full of details that bring to life the experience of Londoners in those days and the desperate conditions of the poor in particular. I stayed up late many nights, captivated by what I read.

Wendy: When you plan a book do you have the main idea of the plot in your head or do the ideas evolve as you write.

Angela: I always have the bones of the plot and the themes I want to develop before I start. I can't imagine beginning a book without knowing where I'm going. Then later, as ideas evolve, there is a long process of reworking, maybe ditching some things that no longer seem important and weaving in other elements or characters that grow out of the story development.

Wendy: Is there a time of the day when you are at your most creative.

Angela: I'm better at sitting down to write in the afternoon and evening, but my mind is constantly running over ideas, wherever I am. Best of all I like to write late into the night, when the rest of the world slips away and doesn't interfere with my thoughts.

Wendy: Are all your books set in the same Era.

Angela: No. My first novel, THE TIDE TURNER, is a timeless story set under the sea and the second, THE RUNAWAY, is set in 1803, when the south of England was still under threat from Napoleon.

Wendy: The vast majority of your books are for the younger child and are highly illustrated - is this your first 9+ age book and will you progress to writing for adults?

Angela: This is my third book for older readers and I have also written several junior fiction books. At the moment I'm working on an idea for something that would probably be called 'young adult fiction' and am very excited about that, but I have no plan to write for adults. I don't think writing for adults is neccesarily a progression - good books for children and teens can be extremely powerful and thought provoking and often remain well-loved favourites long after many adult novels are forgotten!

Wendy: How long does it take to write a book,from its conception right through until it is published.

Angela: Too long! I have a busy family life and write slowly. I also work on new picture books and edit other books in progress at the same time. Cora took about eighteen months from beginning to end.

Wendy: Do you base your some of your characters on people you have met.

Angela: No, I don't think I've ever knowing done that. Once I've decided what part a character will play in the story, what qualities they will need to have, I tease them into life in my imagination. Sometimes a character arrives in a scene seemingly univited and straightaway seems to belong there - but I have no idea where they come from!

Wendy: What was it about the Victoria Era that you most enjoyed writing about.

Angela: I loved writing about the life on the streets, imagining the sensory overload of sound and smell, the amazing characters and extraordinary sights. The streets would have been packed with people from dawn to dusk, all trying to make a living however they could, playing out life's dramas and struggling to survive.

Wendy: How long have you been an Author and have you seen your writing evolve from the beginning to now.

Angela: I have been writing for children for over twenty years and have published about sixty books. My writing certainly has evolved, as has the character of children's publishing in that time - I wouldn't be able to publish the first story I wrote now, it would be considered too long! My subject matter has partly changed as my own children have grown up, which I believe is what happens to many writers.

Wendy: Are you writing another book at the moment.

Angela: I've just written a new picture book story called WINTER'S BOY which will be illustrated by the brilliant Grahame Baker-Smith. We collaborated on a book called LEON AND THE PLACE BETWEEN, which was shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway award, and have been keen to so something together again, so I'm very much looking forward to starting work on that.

Wendy: What inspired you to become an Author.

Angela: I didn't set out at first to become an author, although I have always written stories and poems. As a child, writing and drawing seemed a natural part of being alive, of making sense of the world around me. I started in publishing as an illustrator, but when told there was a shortage of children's stories I wrote THE KING WHO SNEEZED, which became my first book, illustrated by Simon Henwood. Since then I have illustrated my own books and also been lucky enough to write for many fantastic illustrators. When I had my children I decided to concentrate on the writing alone, as this was easier to integrate with family life.

Wendy: Would you like any of your books to be made into a film for the Cinema or Television. I feel that The double Life of Cora Parry would make excellent Television.

Angela: One of my books was recently made into a theatrical show and another is being adapted as a musical. It's interesting to see how other people interpret your work; whether it's an illustrator responding to a story, or a reader bringing their own experience to a book, or an adaptation in another medium. I am open to any suggestions.

Wendy: How do you relax after a days writing?

Angela: My great passion is prehistoric archaeology and I love to go fieldwalking. Hunting for the past is really hunting for stories. There's no better way to fire up your imagination than to pick up an ancient artifact from the ploughsoil and wonder...

Wendy: Writing for children is very different to writing for adults - have you always wanted to write for children.

Anglea: I had a very happy childhood and writing for children enables me to keep that touchstone close.