A collection of interviews with award-winning writers - novelists, poets, playwrights and children's writers. This work discusses each writer's process, both mental and physical: why they write, who they write for, where and how often they write, their recurring themes, their problems and achievements.

Introduction; Al Alvarez; Michael Bond; Raymond Briggs; Tracy Chevalier; Margaret Drabble; U.A. Fanthorpe; Julian Fellowes; Sara Maitland; Harry Mathews; Michael Morpurgo; Joyce Carol Oates; Don Paterson; Willy Russell; Graham Swift; Eleanor Updale; Benjamin Zephaniah. Brief information on the writers included with an example of their most recent or best-known work:; Al Alvarez is a poet, critic and novelist (The Writer's Voice); Michael Bond is a children's author (Paddington Bear); Raymond Briggs is an author and illustrator (The Snowman); Tracy Chevalier writes historical fiction (The Girl with the Pearl Earring); Margaret Drabble is a novelist (The Millstone); U.A. Fanthorpe is a poet (Queuing for the Sun); Julian Fellowes is an actor and Oscar-winning screenwriter (Gosford Park); Sara Maitland is a novelist, short story and non-fiction writer (Becoming a Fairy Godmother); Harry Mathews is a poet and novelist (The Journalist); Michael Morpurgo is a children's author and the current Children's Laureate (Adolphus Tips); Joyce Carol Oates is a novelist (The Falls); Don Paterson is a poet and musician (Landing Light); Willy Russell writes plays, musicals and recently a novel (Educating Rita); Graham Swift is a Booker Prize winning novelist (Last Orders); Eleanor Updale writes children's novels (Montmorency); Benjamin Zephaniah is a poet, novelist and playwright (Refugee Boy).

This book is a unique collection of interviews with award-winning writers. Each writer discusses their process: why they write, whom they write for, where and how often they write, recurring themes, problems and achievements. The interviews are intimate, honest, informative and often humorous. Together they offer a fascinating insight into the experience and hard work behind successful writers. This engaging collection is sure to appeal to anyone who loves reading or has ever wanted to be a writer.