The Jacqueline Wilson interview

The prolific writer of the Tracy Beaker and Hetty Feather books, Jacqueline Wilson, has just published her latest novel for young readers. She tells us the story behind The Runaway Girls

What attracts you to writing books like e Runaway Girls that are set in the Victorian era?

I’ve always been passionately interested in the Victorians, so it’s been pure pleasure to write books set in the 19th Century. I much prefer researching Victorian children’s games and interests rather than trying to get up to speed with Tiktok and Fortnite.

This book is set in 1851, three decades before Hetty Feather. Why did you choose this particular year?

The Great Exhibition took place in 1851, and I thought it would be an interesting set piece for the book. I could also show what the circus in my Hetty Feather books used to be like – and introduce one of the older characters when she was a young girl. It’s fun having old favourites playing bit parts in other people’s stories.

The Victorian era was a time of fast changes in almost all aspects of life. Is it interesting to write about characters living during times of great change?

I think it’s very good for readers to see that life was very di erent then – especially for children. If you were rich you led a very restricted and protected home life, particularly if you were a girl. If you were very poor, then you were frequently le to fend for yourself, even for food and shelter.

Lucy and Kitty are very di erent in background and character, at least at rst. Which of the two did you imagine rst?

Lucy came rst. I wanted to write about a rich little girl who has everything a child could wish for – except a loving family. en she meets up with Kitty, who has nothing at all, not even a surname – but she’s full of fun and happy as a lark. I think she almost steals the show.

Your characters have a lot of hard times, but they never give up and emerge stronger or more rounded people. Why is this an important sort of story to tell?

I think it’s a good idea to encourage resilience in children – and how lovely it is to nd a true friend who will stick by you no matter what.

As the author of so many books, has the writing of a new one from start to nish become second nature to you? Do you ever begin a story, but abandon it because it’s not working?

It’s certainly still hard work, but I think it has become second nature now. I don’t know what I’d do with myself if I didn’t write books. My ctional characters are almost as real to me as my family and friends. I might think of an idea and then realise a few days later that it wouldn’t work – but I haven’t abandoned a story once it’s begun since my schooldays.

What books have you been drawn to during the lockdown?

I’ve re-read some Dickens novels, I’ve read biographies of writers, I’ve read many modern novels, I’ve read poetry. I always have to have a book on the go. Sometimes several!

When you talk to your readers, what do they tell you about life in the pandemic?

Lots of children write the usual chirpy stu about their favourite books, their siblings, their pets, their own writing – but a few have been very anxious about the pandemic and the e ect it might have on their families. I try to be as reassuring as possible when I write back. I’ve also had very touching letters and emails from 20-somethings who read a few old JW books as comfort reading and said very sweet things about them.

You have been working with illustrator, Nick Sharratt for 30 years. When you imagine a new character, do you picture how they will look when he draws them?

Nick and I have had a wonderful artistic partnership throughout the years. I think his illustrations are marvellous. However, Nick has now decided to concentrate on his own work, so e Runaway Girls is our last book together. I have a brand new illustrator for future books. eir illustrations are pretty marvellous too – I’m very lucky!

The new TV series of My Mum Tracy Beaker had the biggest ever audience for a CBBC show. How much are you involved in the TV series based on your books?

I have a great relationship with CBBC and I’m consulted every step of the way. I’ve been particularly lucky with My Mum Tracy Beaker, because my scriptwriter friend, Emma Reeves, has written all the scripts and done a magni cent job.