To celebrate National Storytelling Week 2023, we asked local author Alex Cotter some questions about writing, and of course, stories!
How did you get started as an author?
I was seven when I made the very definite decision to become a published author. I started writing stories from that point onwards, but it took some time (decades in fact) to actually achieve the dream! Many rejections over many years and I finally found an agent who loved one of my stories and I became officially published. I began with two Young Adult novels and now I write stories for 9-12 year olds.
This week is National Storytelling Week (Sat 28 Jan – Sun 5 Feb), what are some of your favourite stories?
I grew up on a diet of Narnia and Nesbit. Some of my old favourites I still re-read today, from Judy Blume and Alan Garner to ‘Watership Down’ and ‘The Hobbit’. I also used to be a big fan of ‘Asterix’! I still read lots of children’s books – there are some incredible stories being published right now – and some recent favourites include: ‘Shark Caller’ by Zillah Bethell, Nizrana Farook’s ‘The Girl Who Stole an Elephant’, ‘The Song From Somewhere Else’ by A F Harrold and all of Fleur Hitchcock’s murder mysteries!
Where do you get your ideas from?
Ah, everywhere. I draw a lot of inspiration from my own family history and those tales that get passed down every family. Also, I find museums are fantastic for finding ideas – from a small archaeological item to people’s experiences of war. I like to wander around Bath’s Holburne Museum or another favourite is M Shed in Bristol. I also get some of my best story fodder from simply eavesdropping on people’s conversations in cafes. And then, of course, we have libraries! Give me an hour in a library and I’ll soon have a notebook stuffed full of story ideas!
Any tips for aspiring writers?
There are many tips which have helped me, but I think my top five include:
- Read lots!
Read and read and read lots of different books. Fiction, non-fiction, comics and poetry. It’ll help your writing and your storytelling. - Walk in your characters’ shoes
Spend time imagining what it’s like to be your character – from the way they move and eat to how they express emotion. - Use notebooks & big paper!
Try and always carry a notebook and jot down observations, ideas and interesting words and phrases. I also often use A3 paper when I’m mapping plots and scenes. A big piece of paper can sometimes grow bigger ideas! - Ask a question
To develop a strong story, try thinking of a question that’s at the heart of your story. A question you’re burning to find the answer for. - Edit and read
I always think editing is a big part of writing. Your writing improves and your story starts to develop as you edit and cut and adapt. Also, reading your writing aloud can help; listen to the sound of your words and the emotions it evokes.
Are you working on anything new that you would like to share with us?
I’m really excited by my current story! It’s another MG contemporary mystery story, this time about ice skating and a girl and her two brothers who have been sent to live with a unknown, cold-hearted aunt after their sister dies. It’s about sibling rivalry, what people will do to win and also about dealing with grief. But at its centre is has two girls who are determined to change the rules that say girls can’t skate together – and skate their own way. It’s due to come out Autumn 2023 with Nosy Crow.
This interview was conducted in 2023.