THE INSPIRATIONS BEHIND OUR BOOKS

JK ROWLING

‘The big reason why people loved Potter was that it felt like it could be. That sense that there’s more to the world. Just on the other side. Even within touching distance. It’s the promise of another world and it doesn’t have to be a magical world, but to a lonely child, an insecure person or anyone who feels different or isolated, the idea of having a place where you belong is everything.’

JACQUELINE WILSON

‘My characters are like imaginary friends. I see them in my head, listen to them talk, watch them have adventures. It’s as if I have my own private television inside my brain, switched on nearly all the time.’

RICKY GERVAIS

‘One inspiration for Flanimals was making up strange creatures and ridiculous words for my nephew. The other was my love of natural history. I give the characters will and introspection, and make them aware of their lot.’

HARRY HILL

‘I get a lot of letters from nine-year-old boys asking, “How do you become a comedian?” So I thought I’d write a book about a boy who wants to be a stand-up comic to save me having to write back. When I started it I thought, “Oh yes, this is a bit of fun,” then I really got into it and it became a sort of love letter to stand-up. Children see it as a possible career now in a way that I didn’t.’