Changes

Also another grown-up, Chloë - who checked my penultimate draft for errors and was really nice about it - and Rachel, who was the first actual young person to read it. I was very nervous about letting her have it, but she tore through it in two sittings and gave me some really good feedback, so high five for Rachel.

* '''BB: ''The Astronaut's Apprentice'' is a hoot of a jaunt. Where did you get your inspiration?'''

There were a couple of things that motivated me to write The Astronaut's Apprentice and do something with it, but I'm afraid they're very mundane. I started writing it because I had a hangover and wanted to cheer myself up. I eventually dusted it off and did something with it because I wanted to impress a girl, and I thought it might help if I had my own book out.

* '''BB: Which books inspired you as a child and are there any you think every child should read? Do you still have copies of your childhood books?'''

I actually got back into children's books when I caught the first Harry Potter film on TV. I was so excited by the plot and characters that I nicked my little sister's Chamber of Secrets to see what happened next. The next time I was in Waterstones, I checked out the children's section and couldn't believe how many fun-looking books there were. I've never looked back.

* '''BB: What are you reading now and what do you think of it?'''

PT: I usually write in bed. During the recent cold spell I wrote some words in a tent that I put up in the living room, because my heating broke and it seemed like the best way to keep warm.

* '''BB: If you weren't an author, what would you do for the day job?'''