The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Lauren St John

The Interview: Bookbag Talks To Lauren St John

Summary: Robert thinks that the Laura Marlin mysteries is one of the best series for tweens and younger teens. He was delighted when author Lauren St John popped in to see us.

Date: 6 March 2014

Interviewer: Robert James

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Robert thinks that the Laura Marlin mysteries is one of the best series for tweens and younger teens. He was delighted when author Lauren St John popped in to see us.

• Bookbag: When you close your eyes and imagine your readers, who do you see?

Lauren St John: Although in theory my books are aimed at different age groups, I don't write them that way. I tell stories that I love and I hope that they are enjoyed by as many people as possible, whether they're seven or 70. I like the idea of them being read in all corners of the world too. Recently, I had an email from a woman in Iran. I was so thrilled. To me, that's the point of books. To reach and inspire people who may be from very different worlds to you but still laugh, cry or are moved by similar things. Books bond us.

• BB: Since Laura Marlin’s first adventure, she’s gone to the Caribbean, Kentucky, and Russia. Do you get to head off to these exotic places in the name of research?

LSJ: It's hard work but, yes, I do! I'm a big believer in seeing places for myself if I'm going to write about them. I don't feel that any number of hours of watching DVD's or reading up on them would be the same. Last October I drove 1,800 miles across the US, from Colorado to Oregon to research my latest book, The Glory, which is about a horse race. It was an unforgettable journey. There is no way that I could achieve the same sense of place in my novels if I didn't do that.

• BB: One of the reasons I really like the Laura Marlin series is they remind me of the kind of mysteries I devoured when growing up. What did you like to read when you were a teenager?

LSJ: Horse books like Patricia Leitch's Night of the Red Horse, romances and Westerns, Wilbur Smith novels, blockbusters like Roots and Jaws, and thrillers by authors like Alastair MacLean and John D McDonald.

• BB: Calvin Redfern, Laura’s uncle who adopts her, is a fabulous character. Who’s your favourite fictional father figure?

LSJ: Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird.

• BB: Another wonderful character is Laura’s three-legged husky Skye. Do you own any pets yourself?

LSJ: I have an adopted Bengal called Max. Before I rescued him he'd spent two years in a cage so now he's outrageously indulged. I love him to bits.

• BB: I’m not sure if you can answer this question without spoiling things for those who haven’t read Rendezvous in Russia – so feel free to ignore it! I read a while ago that there were going to be four Laura Marlin mysteries. Is this the last one, or is there a chance we’ll see her again?

LSJ: There's always a chance...

• BB: You must be very busy at the moment, having just appeared at the Edinburgh Book Festival and with Bath and Cheltenham in a couple of months. What’s the best thing about appearing at festivals?

LSJ: Meeting readers and other authors. It's wonderful to be at any celebration of books and reading.

• BB: While you’re probably best known for your children’s books, your adult books have also got really good reviews – and I’m desperate to read your biography of Steve Earle. What’s your favourite of Earle’s songs?

LSJ: Goodbye is my favourite Earle song. He taught me how to play it one rainy afternoon when we were on a tour of Tennessee to campaign against the Death Penalty. We sat by the fire and he led me through it. It was one of the most special days of my life.

• BB: On that note, do you listen to music when you write?

LSJ: Never.

• BB: What's next for Lauren St John?

LSJ: I'm currently working on The Glory, my fourth horse book, and I'm off to Australia in a couple of weeks to research my next adult book. When I come back, I'm honoured to be a World Book Day author. March is going to be insanely busy. I'll be doing World Book Day events and promoting my WBD Laura Marlin story, The Midnight Picnic, as well as the final book in my One Dollar Horse trilogy, Fire Storm.

• BB: Thanks for chatting to us, Lauren and there's plenty for us to look forward to there.

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