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Archive of questions and answers

These are all the questions and answers from the past.

Dear Val
i am 17 years old, and i am from greece, so im sorry if my english is a little bit poor. Anyway, on my trip to england, in Greenwich, i first saw your book "the time apprentice" in stores and i was immediatly drawn by it. What fascinated me the most in this book is the fact that every chapter of it was so interesting that i wanted to read the next one right away. So i read it all in one week. You have done a great work, reading it made me "feel" the emotions of the characters...every situation,every picture every whisper that you describe is so vivid, and that is the most important ability of a writer, getting through to their audience, to make them feel what the writer feels when writing. You are marvelous!

I sometimes want to start writing scenarios and stories that are in my head but there is too much pressure from school.

I wondered if you could tell me what other books have you wrote? (except the time wreccas and the time apprentice)and how can i purchase the time wreccas from greece? i mean that it is possible for me to order it from bookshops or can i only purchase it on-line? Jim, Athens, Greece

Dear Jim
First, let me say that your English is marvellous. Congratulations!

Many thanks for all you say about The Time Apprentice. It is lovely when someone reads it with such interest and then shares their thoughts with me. The Time Wreccas has been translated into five languages. Unfortunately, Greek is not one of them. I would imagine that your best bet would be to buy it on line. Here is a link to Amazon for The Time Wreccas.

So far, The Time Wreccas and The Time Apprentice are my only two published novels. But I had lunch with my agent last week and she sounded very positive about the one I have just finished. Fingers crossed that it won't be too long before it is available. It is not in the same series, but still a bit of a page-turner. At least my agent couldn't put it down!

Dear Val
I’ve read both your books and they are absourlutly TREMENDOUSE!!!! Im ten years old and i love all the characters. Some bits were sad but nice. I was wondering if u can write another book. i am absourloutly loving every single word of this. Please write another book.

Sometimes my mum tells me off cause i dont take my meals and dont do anything but sit there in my bed enjoying the books that u made. I desperatly want u to do the third please, best wishes on your third book!!! xxxxxx Vino, Sheerness, Kent

Dear Vino
I always like to hear when someone has enjoyed my books. Thank you for writing to me.

I love your ideas about how the story could develop, but I have cut them out of your message so that we don’t give away anything to people who have not read it. I do have a story-line for the third, but it is so far unwritten. In the meantime, I am working on a new novel which I hope you will also enjoy.

Dear Val
Could you explain to me the meaning of "illuminal cords". I didn't understand. Patricia, Leiria, Portugal

Dear Patricia
The illuminal cords, as mentioned in 'The Time Apprentice', are the ethereal cords that bind together all things in the universe in space and time.

Hi Val
Sorry to hear the new story is not ready yet. I've been waiting patiently. Whenever I'm in a book shop I tell the nearest child looking through the books about The Wreccas and The Time Apprentice and about your website. Though I do get some strange looks from their parents, the child usually goes off with your name and book titles scribbled on a piece of paper. Edna, Luton, UK

Hi Edna
Thank you for all your stoic work with the books. It's all very much appreciated! I promise I am doing my very best with the next one. I have one of my main characters in a tricky situation and I am struggling to find a way out for him. Perhaps he shouldn't get out of it. What a choice!

If you could email me your email address (which will not show up on this answer page) I'd like to write to you privately about the rest of your email.

how long did it take 2 take 2 vright ur longest book? wen did u make ur 1st book? how old wozx u wen u made ur 1st book?and wot yr woz ur last 1 and how old r and how old wozs u wen u made ur last book Liam, Rochdale, England

Hi Liam
My longest book so far is The Time Apprentice . That took me a year to write. I have written all my life just for fun. When I was younger, I started stories but seldom finished them. When I became a mother of four children, I didn't write much because they took all my time. As they grew up, I had more energy to write. I used to get up at five or six in the morning during the holidays so that I could write before the children woke.

I didn't finish a full-length novel until I was grown up. I was recovering from an operation and wasn't allowed to do any work for three months, which gave me an ideal opportunity to write. I managed to finish a story during that time, but have never tried to get it published because it just isn't good enough. The more I write, the better I get. Even if I had never been published, I would still be writing. I just can't stop!

How long did it take you to write the book? Jennie, Rochdale, England

Hi Jennie
I started writing The Time Wreccas in 1998. It was published in 2005. Now, I wasn't writing all that time because in those days writing was just my hobby. Then I fell ill and couldn't work on it for a couple of years. Now I am a writer full time and it takes between nine months and a year to write a book of that length.

Hi Val
Just to say I loved both your books in the Greenwich Chronicles series and hope you DO write a third (please)! I'm an adult and a convert to reading older children's magic stories - must be the kid in me still. I just looked up your site to see if there was a photo of you but was disappointed to find there wasn't.
All the best for all your future books which I look forward to immensely. Christine, Sydney, Australia

Hi Christine
There is a lot of excellent children fiction around at the moment and it's good that it reaches as wide an audience as possible. I am very happy that you enjoyed the Greenwich Chronicles. There isn't a third one planned just yet; maybe in the future. I've been writing other things. Hopefully, I'll have news about that shortly. I expect to have some very exciting news about The Time Wreccas soon. Watch this space!
I'll make sure that a picture of me is put up on the website soon.

hi val
just asking if guardians use electrisity and technology and if they are eco friendly how does enderell make the food? tejas, southhampton, england

Hi again Tejas
That's an excellent question. The Guardians have special powers. With these powers they can enchant their homes to glow so that they don't need electricity. They have fires for warmth, but these are also enchanted and so they are not actually burning coal or even wood. They cook in the same way and so Enderell uses her powers to make all that wonderful food.

hi val
i apseloutly love both ur books especialy the time wreccas your books have enspired me so im thinking of writing a book of my own so im really just asking if u can give me tips and help thx. tejas, southhampton, england

Hi Tejas
I think that the most important tip I can give you for writing is to write what delights you. You will be with your story for a long time and so write about characters and places that fascinate you. Get to know your characters well. It might be possible to base them on real people. Go to the places where you set your story. I take photos so that I have the images with me when I am writing. It helps me to evoke the right atmosphere.

I go in to schools and give workshops about how to write a good story. Maybe I will come to your school one day so that I could give you more help. Good luck. Let me know how you get on.

Hi Val
Is the new book ready yet. I know it's not about the Wrecca's because as you said you are giving them a bit of a rest. I'm re- re re reading The Wreccas again. Each time I re read the Wreccas and the Time Apprentice I spot bits I missed before. I am a bit of a speed reader so tend to not take in stuff sometimes. Edna, Luton, England

Dear Edna
Good to hear from you. There has been a glitch in the new book and I have had to put it on hold for the moment, which is a tad irritating. I am just putting the finishing touches to another one which should be going to my agent next week. I'll keep you posted.
I'm delighted to hear that you spot bits that you missed when re-reading the Guardian Chronicles. My favourite books are the ones where we pick new things up on the third or fourth time of reading.

Hey Val
I'm wondering if you're writing any other fabulous books in the greenwich chronicle series. I have read both your books and could not put them down and am starting to write my own book which I hope will be published in the future. I would love to read another book including Tid, Sofi and the wreccas and guardians and if you're not, then I would be so tempted to try and write another sequel myself but I know that I wouldn't write as well as you would. If you are going to write another book in the series I can't wait for it to come out because they are so interesting. Maddison, Surrey, England

Hey Maddison
I have another story planned in the Guardian Chronicles series but it is, so far, unwritten. I hope that you will enjoy my next book. It is about a different subject but still an adventure story and, I hope, interesting.

It's good to hear that you want to write. I hope you thoroughly enjoy yourself. I very much enjoy doing writing workshops around the country in schools and with writing groups. I have recently started a distance-learning writing course for people who want to write children's fiction. (Details on my website.) Good luck with your writing endeavours.

hi val!
i have read both the time wreccas and the time apprentice. i really enjoyed both books! i am wondering if the time apprentice has a sequel? write back a.s.a.p many thanks. calum, ayr, scotland

Hi Callum
There is a sequel to The Time Apprentice but, so far, it is only in note form. I do, however, have a title which is usually the last thing I come up with. My next book to be published is about a different subject, but is still an adventure story. As yet, I don't have a publication date, but will put it out on the site as soon as I do.

Hi!!!
It could order me the web sites where I can search on its literary lives? Diana, Port, Portugal

Hi Diana
You will find information about me at http://www.valtyler.co.uk/content/010valtyler.php Good luck with your work.

Hello Val
I have just finished The Time Apprentice and really enjoyed it. Are you going to write another book in this series? Jessica, Newcastle (NSW), Australia

Hi Jessica
It's lovely to hear that you enjoyed the Time Apprentice. I have another story in this series but it is, so far, unwritten. My next book is about something else, but I hope you will enjoy that too.

Hello Val
I am to make a work for portuguese on its book "Wreccas and the time", in my work i have that to include its biography and bibliography, therefore it wanted to ask for that of this some information to me. It could not leave to also say that if it could make a film. Kisses and continue with inspiration that i go continuing to read its books. Diana, Port, Portugal

Hello Diana
Thank you for writing to me. You can find more information about books I have written and how I came to be a writer on other pages of my website. I am very happy that you enjoyed the book so much and I agree that it would make a marvellous film!

Hi Val
How is the book coming. Is it ready yet? Edna, Luton, England

Hi Edna
Great to hear from you again. How are you? How is the writing going? I am very sorry and frustrated to say that there has been a hold-up on the book. It shouldn't be too long before I have news for you. In the meantime, I suppose, we have to be patient.

hey Val
I'm a yr 8 high school student in South Australia and writing fiction is one of my favourite hobbies. I'm in the middle of reading your first book, The Time Wreccas and I find it exceedingly interesting to read. I've just started to write up a story of my own and hope that one day it will become published into a book. However, I find that it is hard to put what I'm imagining into the right words because some bits are hard to explain. I hope that you can help me and give me some advice that will eventually help me finish my work in progress.
if you are a first time author who's never been published before, how do you get a publisher to publish your story once you finished and edited it?
Thanks and I look forward to your reply Sing-Chean, Adelaide, Australia

Hey Sing-Chean
It’s lovely to hear that your hobby is writing fiction. Keep everything you write and date it. You never know when you might need to call upon an idea you once had. Sadly, I have very little of my early work, but I keep everything now.
It can be hard to find the right words to say what you want. I have the same difficulty! I spend a lot of time thinking about my stories and after writing them down I carry out a lot of edits. Each edit improves the plot, the characters and the language. It’s hard work but I love it. I also find that a thesaurus can be helpful.
Finding your first publisher is not easy. The Time Wreccas was my second book and the Time Apprentice my third. My first was a craft book about making teddy bears. That was published without an agent, which turned out to be a big mistake. Consequently, I knew I would never publish another book without one. Finding an agent became my first task and it took months. The agent who finally decided to represent me has more than one thousand manuscripts land on her desk each year. In a three year period she picked up just two new writers, me and one other. That is how difficult it is to get started. However, now I have an agent, she finds the publishers for me and all I have to do is write the stories. That is the fun part. My advice would be to find an agent first, but be prepared for a long wait and make sure that your manuscript is in the best possible shape before you send it.
Good luck!

Val
You visited my school 2 years ago but I was in year 2. I secretly cried. But is there going 2 be any more books coming out that are written from you? Jonny, Little Harrowden, England

Hello Jonny
I am sorry I didn't get the chance to talk to your year group when I was in your school. Perhaps one day I will be invited back to Little Harrowden. If I do, then I will definitely look out for you.
There will be more books coming out, but not in the same series. The next book is different, but still an adventure story. I will announce the details on the website when I have them.

When is your next book coming out and what will it be called? Nathan, Oldham, England

Hello Nathan
As yet I have no date for the next book and no title either. I wrote the story but could not think of a title. This does not matter as the publisher is quite likely to change a title, anyway. Sorry to be so lacking in information. I shall announce dates and titles on the site as soon as I know anything. The Time Apprentice is coming out in paperback in March.

I loved your talk to the Writing Squad in Usk Library. Thank you for teaching me to touch type. I am trying to do it now! Hannah, Monmouth, Wales

Hey Hannah
It was great to meet you all on Saturday and to work with such talented youngsters.
Delighted to hear that you are working on the touch-typing. It is a skill that will benefit you for the rest of your life, whether you become a writer or not.

Hello Val
When you came to the writing squad I go to, I was thrilled by the fact that we had an author there.
You are the first author since I have been going to writing squad that I have met there. You definitely made the Saturday afternoon a very enjoyable time! My touch-typing will certainly improve now with your help.
I am ever so grateful that you signed my copy of 'The Time Wreccas', I shall treasure it forever. At the end of the afternoon you read the first chapter of your first novel and I was entranced, I was hooked on to the story almost immediately. I have already started to read on and it gets better and better! The suspense is amazing! You are an excellent writer and the only bad thing about your book is that I can hardly stop reading it!
Thank you once again for such a superb afternoon; no one else has ever made writing more enjoyable than it already is! Bethany, Monmouth, Wales

Hello, Bethany
I had a wonderful time on Saturday. It was enlightening to work with such talented people. You are the novelists of the future.
I am very happy to hear that you are enjoying the book. I am not sorry that you can't put it down, it was what I hoped when I wrote it! Good luck with the touch-typing.

Dear Val
I really like the Time Wreccas book. I bought your book when you came to my school (Deri View Primary) and I treasure it because you signed it. Alex, Abergavenny, Wales

Hi Alex
It was lovely meeting all of you at Deri View. I am delighted that you will treasure the book. I hope you will enjoy reading it.

Dear Val
I am the mother of a child who attends a pre-school and wondered if you would be able to donate a book that could be given as a raffle prize at our Christmas Fayre. Kay, Hatfield, Hertfordshire

Dear Kay
Thank you for writing to me. I am sorry but I do not carry stock that can be used for events such as you describe. Your best bet would be to contact the publisher. I hope that your Christmas Fayre is a great success.

Hi Val
I am really glad to get a reply as I know you must be really busy, what with the writing and everything. I'm also happy to know that other people have the same problem as I do when it comes to finding space for books!
I consider myself to be an aspiring author and would like to know two things. How can you write so much without a new idea struggling into your mind and does the scenery around where you live inspire you? Thanks again. Matthew, Montrose, Scotland

Hi Matthew
Delighted to hear you are an aspiring author.

I am not sure I fully understand your first question. Are you asking how I can write one book when new ideas must be coming all the time? Well, I just have to be disciplined. It is no good starting a story, then another, then another so that nothing gets finished. The four stories I am working on at the moment are all at different stages. One is with the publisher. I expect to start working on that story with an editor soon. The next I have just prepared for my agent to read. I am 40,000 words into a third book, but with no real ending yet and I have just written an outline for a fourth. In the past, when I was only writing part time, I had to restrict myself to one story at a time and The Time Wreccas took a very long time to write. All other ideas had to be filed away in my head and I still do that now so that I don’t get muddled. Sometimes ideas stay at the back of my mind for up to five years before I write them down. If they are good enough, they will stay.

I used to live near Greenwich Park and it was our Sunday morning trips there that inspired me to write The Time Wreccas. Now I live in Wales, near the top of a mountain and surrounded by sheep I am definitely inspired by the beautiful scenery around me. But this won't be translated into a book on a shelf for a couple of years or more.

dear val
you came over to my school recently i really enjoyed myself after i was itching to read your books. i was interested to know where you lived since i go near you often. isabella, aberystwyth, wales

Dear Isabella
I very much enjoyed my visit to your school yesterday. You are a lively bunch. Thank you for making me so welcome.
I live near the top of a mountain surrounded by sheep. It's beautiful up here, but we often get snowed in during the winter. We also run out of water in the summer, and so there are drawbacks. But the view is so breathtakingly wonderful. I spend so much time gazing out of the window, I wonder that I actually get time to write anything!

Dear Val
I think your books are marvellous! I would like to congratulate you for writing a novel with ideas that I can really visualise in my mind, as I can be rather tricky to please sometimes. I enjoyed the books so much that I decided to place them on my bookshelf that is reserved for my favourite reads, some books had to be relocated because of this. Hope you continue to write such excellent books! Matthew, Montrose, Scotland

Dear Matthew
I feel very honoured to be on your special bookshelf. Thank you for telling me. I have a special book shelf too, with all my favourite books. It is difficult when I want to add another trying to decide which one must move.

Dear Val
The Time Wreccas and The Time Apprentice are great books. Have you ever thought of writing another book or making the ones you have already have written into a film because they are..... I don't know what to say because its so great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love from Shaun xxxxxx your biggest fan ever!!!! Shaun, Southwater, Horsham, UK

Dear Shaun
Thanks for writing. It's great to hear from you.
I used to know a boy called Sean (spelled differently but sounds the same) who hated reading. In fact, he is one of the reasons I write this type of story. I am always trying to interest someone like him. I have written another book, but not in the Greenwich Chronicles series. It is with the publisher and I'll announce it on the site when I get a publishing date.
I would love the books to go to film. I think they'd make good films. Sadly, it is not up to me. I guess I shall have to wait for Steven Spielberg to read them. Perhaps I should send him a copy!

Dear Val
I am 10 years old and I've just finished The Time Wreccas. I borrowed it from the library. When I finished it I went back to the library A.S.A.P. To my disappointment I found out that they didn't have The Time Apprentice. Have YOU ever gone to a library having just finished a great book, like yours and they don't have the others in the series? Casey, Berwick, Australia

Dear Casey
Yes, I do that all the time. The library I visit is quite small and seldom has the book I want, but I can usually order it. I hope that you will be able to order the Time Apprentice.

hello val
are you going to write a second book because your books are really a page turner gareth, wellingborough, England

Hello Gareth
My second book is The Time Apprentice. My third book is still with the publisher and I have no publication date as yet. 'A page turner'. What a great description! Many thanks!

Hi Val
I am in the process of reading the Time Wreccas. It has inspired me to write storys, could you please give me some advice. P.s. can you put a drawing of a Wrecca on your cool site? Daniel, Birmingham, England

Hi Daniel
I am delighted to hear that you are inspired to write. You could do so from your own experience, from your imagination or a mixture of the two. I tend to go for the third option.

There are three important aspects to writing: plot, setting and characters. The plot, or story, has to be something that excites you. For settings, I like to use places I know like Greenwich Park, but sometimes it has to come out of my imagination, like the Underneath. Sometimes I take photos of places and store them away for future use. Other times I go out looking for a specific location. It's the same with characters. I take aspects of people I know and put them into some characters. The rest are from my imagination. I often go into schools and do workshops about writing a good story. Maybe one day I'll come to your school and we'd be able to talk about it together.

I know what I think Wreccas look like, but not being very good at drawing, I have never thought to put my ideas on paper. What do you think they look like? If you would like to draw one and send it to me via Puffin, I would love to see what you think.

Good luck with the writing.

Hi Val
I loved both of the books. I think you should write a third. In it I think you should write what happens to Sheldon, Scamp and Lorin. My favourte charecter is Sheldon, Tid, Sofi, Baz and Seth. I liked how Tid and Sheldon kept fighting and Sofi kept with Sheldon. I liked how you put the shadow in it. Please please write another book. Best wishes Ellie, Dunedin, New Zealand

Hi Ellie
Yes, I like Sheldon too. I didn't mean to when I started writing him, but he just grew on me.
I have written a third book but it is not in the Guardian series. It is currently with the publisher but I have no idea when it will be in the shops. I do have third story in my head for Sofi and Tid, but it has to wait in line because I have so many other ideas. I am delighted you enjoyed both books. I will announce on the site when the next is due out.
Do you realise that if the Wreccas dug straight down, right through the middle of the earth, they would end up in New Zealand? That would give them a big surprise! I hope the Dunedin Guardian is ready for them!

The Time Apprentice. I absolutely love it. In fact I've read it three times already. I think I must be an addict. But of course that now causes me a problem, because I need to read more and more. Not that I'm being pushy or anything. Come to think of it, yes I am. So when is the next book? Please say there is a next book. There is going to be a next book, isn't there? I asked, trying to keep the panic from my e mail. Regards and thank you for your lovely Wrecca books. Edna, Luton, England

Dear Edna
Yes, there is another book, and the one after that is almost finished. Sadly, I cannot say when they will be on the bookshelves, but they are on their way. I'll keep the website up to date and let you know as soon as I do. In the meantime, I am happy that you enjoyed the Wreccas books so much. I must confess now that the two following books are not Wrecca books, but I hope you will enjoy them just as much.

How old are your characters, Sofi and Tid? Olivia, Johannesburg, South Africa

Interesting question, Olivia. To be honest, I'm not really sure. How old do you think they are?

Hello Val
My name is Olivia and I'm 14 years old. I am currently reading your first book The Time Wreccas. It is a really great book and I can't wait to get hold of your second novel. Please, please, please will you write a third?! Your books are so captivating and interesting to read. thanks. It would be great if you could reply. Olivia, Johannesburg, South Africa

Hello, Olivia
Thanks for writing. It's good to hear from someone in South Africa.
I have a third story about Sofi and Tid in my mind, but have not yet written it down. The Guardian characters and I needed a break from each other.
I have just written a third book, but it is not in the Greenwich Chronicle series. I hope you will like it as much as my first two books, although I am not yet sure when it will be on the shelves.
In the meantime, I hope you enjoy The Time Apprentice.

Hi again Val!
Thank you so much for replying back to my message! When i read your message me and my friends were so surprized and happy! I love your books and i think they are amazing. Hope you have a nice time with the cute animals around your beautiful farm in Wales. Bye Neda, London, United Kingdom

Hi Neda
I am delighted that you enjoy the books so much.
At the moment there is a large bull in the field with the cows. Not so cute! I have to be careful when walking Teg, our lovely border collie, so that the bull doesn’t get angry. But you’re right about how lovely it is.

Hello Val, I would just like to say, how lovely it is that you answer the children’s questions so fast! My son put a question to you and within 24 hours you had reply to it. It is really a joy for them to read your answers. Sharon, Wellingborough, England

Hello Sharon,
I am delighted that you enjoy reading the answers as much as I enjoy receiving the questions and answering them. Apart from loving it, one of my reasons for writing books is to encourage people, young and old, to read. I was not much of a reader when young. It took me a while to realise how much I had missed. I hope that you will read The Time Wreccas. People of all ages tell me that they enjoy it.

Hi Val, Did you help to design the brilliant cover? I used some ideas from it in an art lesson. Darren, Bristol, England

Hey Darren,
The cover was almost exclusively created by the art department at Puffin. They listened to my ideas, put them all together with more of their own and then sent me a draft copy. They were brilliant, changing anything that I did not like. I think they have done a fabulous job. The cover of The Time Apprentice is just as good, in some ways it may even be better. I have a draft copy and as soon as Puffin say it is finished, I shall put it on website for you to see.

Hi val I enjoyed you coming in our class to read to us, when your book comes out I will read it, your new book is called The Time Apprentice I think I will like the book, when it comes out. Liam T, Northampton, England

Hi Liam,
I very much enjoyed visiting your school too. It was great fun to talk to a class who knew The Time Wreccas so well. Yes, the new book is called The Time Apprentice and it comes out in February. It has all the old characters as well as a few new ones. I hope you will enjoy reading it.

Hi Val how are you ? Emily here again. my next question is.... When did you decide you wanted to be a author and why ? from Emily P.S i am going to write to you Chloe, Wellingborough, England

Hi Emily,
I have always enjoyed making up stories but, to be honest, I never thought I was good enough to be published. About fifteen years ago I had an operation. Afterwards, I was not allowed to do anything for six whole weeks. With so much free time, I was able to do what I loved most which was writing. That was when I first thought I would like to be published. I never thought I would be lucky enough to be a full-time writer. I shall look forward to hearing from you when you write.

Gareth wrote to me by post and asked if I walk through Greenwich Park every day.

Hello, Gareth,
I live a twenty minute car ride away from the park. My family and I always enjoy walking there, but we don't do it every day. If you click on the link, you will see a photo of the tree.in the park which is over Old Father Tim's workshop. My daughter and I fell in love with that tree many years ago. My youngest son now lives in Greenwich and walks in the park most days. He says he always thinks of the Guardians as he walks and keeps an eye open for the squirrels.

Hi Val Emily here again i have got you another question How many days did it take you to set out and plan the story? Reply soon Emily Emily, Wellingborough, England

Hi Emily, it's good to hear from you again.
I suppose The Time Apprentice took about six months to plan and write out, and the editing has taken about a year. I spend a long time thinking about a story before I ever write it down. When the first draft if complete I start the editing process. Each edit involves reading the entire story, changing what needs to be changed and making notes of points that need to be checked or researched. The Time Wreccas was edited somewhere between 20 and 25 times.

HI VAL ITS ELLIE AGAIN JUST SAYING DID YOU GET MY QUESTION? AND MY NEXT QUESTION IS :WHY DID YOU START TWO PEOPLES NAMES WITH OLD EXAMPLE :OLD FATHER TIM AND OLD KILGOY ? REPLY SOON ELLIE *Ellie, Wellingborough, London

Hi Ellie,
Yes, your question and the answer have been on the board for a while now. I hope you have found it. Originally, it was a coincidence that Old Father Tim and Old Killjoy both had names that started with 'Old'. It was later that I realised it was a cool idea and I started wondering why. I had intended to explain everything in The Time Apprentice, but I ran out of space and had to cut it out. Perhaps it will appear in another book.

Hello Val. If you could'nt be an arthur what job would you have? Also, Where did you get the idea of Old Father Tim's workshop in a tree from? LOved reading your book Emily x Emily, Northamptonshire, England

Hello Emily,
I would be really sorry if I could not be an author because it is a great job, but if I couldn't I would like to be a stage director. For a while I was a Drama teacher and thoroughly enjoyed putting on plays and musicals. The theatre is enormous fun.
I think that anyone who walks through Greenwich Park probably has their favourite tree. I kept seeing one particular tree and it fascinated me. The bark was old and gnarled and the trunk was a bizarre shape with a sort of a skirt around the bottom. I just had to include it in my story. Also, I liked the idea that this magic and special workshop was below ground, like the Underneath, but so completely different from anything the Wreccas have. You can see a picture of my favourite tree.

Val when your next book comes out next year I hope everyone enjoy it.I am saving my pocket money up for it. I wonder if it is really interesting like the first story. Next time you come to school can you sign it for me??. Best wishes from Gareth Gareth, Wellingborough, England

Hi Gareth,
I hope that you will very much enjoy the sequel. It is called The Time Apprentice. I have spent a lot of time on it and think that if you enjoyed The Time Wreccas you will also enjoy The Time Apprentice. It has all the same characters plus a few new ones and lots of adventures. I am waiting too see the cover and will put it on this website as soon as I have it. I will certainly sign your book for you when I next go to your school.

Hi Val, If you could be any character in the book who would you be and why ? From Chloe Chloe, Wellingborough, England

Hello, Chloe.
What a great question. I think I would be Sofi. She's great, isn't she, so full of guts and character and yet with a kind and loving heart. A couple of years ago, I met a young lady called Josie. She reminds me a lot of Sofi, but I didn't know her when I wrote the story and so I can't say that I used her as a model.

I have noticed that your hero and your villain share the adjective old in their names. Did you have a reason for doing this? I am a year 3 teacher and noticed this as I was preparing a lesson on heroes and villains for my class, using your book as the text. I would like you to know that the children in my class loved your book. Carolynne, Wellingborough, England

Hello, Carolynne.
I am delighted that your class enjoyed the book. I am afraid I don't have a clever answer for you. When I was young I remember my mother referring to anyone who was a bit of a misery as an 'old killjoy'. Old Father Tim was named after Old Father Time. It was only later that I realised that both names began with 'Old'. I explored the reasons why in the sequel, The Time Apprentice, but, sadly, had to edit it out.

How did you feel when you first saw The Time Wreccas in a shop and people reading it? Ellie, Wellingborough, England

It's lovely to hear from you, Ellie.
On the day The Time Wreccas was published, we went into Waterstones but could not see the book. Eventually, we found an enormous pile buried deep at the back of the shop. That was a little disappointing. Several days later there were very few left and they were on a shelf at the front. That was when I started feeling excited.
The first person I saw reading it was 26 years old! He couldn't put it down. That felt great! When I heard how much your class was enjoying it, that was the best feeling of all.

I found this on a site.
He is usually depicted as an elderly bearded man, dressed in a robe, carrying an hourglass. An hourglass, also known as a sandglass or sand timer, is a device for the measurement of time. It consists of two glass bulbs placed one above the other which are connected by a narrow tube. One of the bulbs is usually filled with fine sand which flows through the narrow tube into the bottom bulb at a given rate. Once all the sand has run to the bottom bulb, the device is inverted in order to measure another time period. ..... or other timekeeping device (representing time's constant movement) and a scythe. A scythe is an agricultural hand tool for mowing and reaping grass or crops. It consists of a long (about 170 cm) wooden shaft called a snath (modern ones are sometimes made from metal and/or plastic) with a perpendicular handle at one end and another roughly in the middle. The handle at the end of the ..... He is often depicted as an elderly, gray-haired man with a long beard. His name actually means "Time" (khronos in Greek), and is altenatively spelled Khronos, Chronos, Chronus (Latin version). ..... Father time is also seen in various books and movies helping Santa Claus stop time so he can deliver presents to the millions of homes across the world. Carolyn, Greenwich

Thanks for that, Carolyn.
Old Father Time is a wonderful character. When I was in primary school, I remember learning about Old Father Thames. In my mind they are similar and so I suppose I may have been influenced by that when I wrote Old Father Tim.

hello Val,Everyone seems too love your book! well done...but how long do you think you could carry on with the wrecca stories? Sophie-May, Edinburgh, Scotland

Hello Sophie-May,
What a great name you have! I have the plot already worked out for the third book, but have not started writing it as yet. I decided to give myself a break in order to keep the characters fresh, and so my third book is a totally different adventure story. I am delighted that you are all enjoying The Time Wreccas , and hope that you will feel the same about The Time Apprentice when it comes out in February.

By the way. I am putting up the cover of The Time Apprentice on the site. What do you think of it?

hey Val, did you base any of the charactors on people you know? Shona & Carly-Ann, Manchester, England

Hey, Shona and Carly-Ann,
That's a good question, but no, none of the characters are based on anyone. However, after they had been written, I met a young lady called Josie and she is exactly like Sofi. It's strange, even their names sound similar.

Breanda wrote three times in the same day!
hey val,when your very first book came out i was lucky too find a first edition!!! i realy enjoyed it (i thought it was much better than harry potter)im definatley getting The Time Aprentice.Anyway are you going to be wrighting a third book or even a fourth?

hi I`s here again.I read one of your answers and you said on the day of the release you where in waterstones and you said there was a big pile of the Time Wreccas books at the back of the shop.Well when i went to waterstones i saw a big pile on the floor! and bought one! so maybe it was the same shop you where in!(probably not) any way i went back a week later too buy more books (cause am a book worm) and there was only one Time Wrecca Book there! i love too write so this is why its sooooo long.Anyway I better ask you a question ....will you be writing about the history of the tree in greenwich park in one of the storys? (maybe it holds a secret...)

hello again! sorry cant resist asking you questions!!!anyway is there going to be faeries in any off the upcoming books? cause i realy love faeries!! Breanda, Glasgow, Scotland.

Hey, Breanda, lovely to hear from you.
Yes, I have written a third book. I cannot say too much about it yet, but I can tell you that it is set in a totally different world and there are no Wreccas. It is an adventure story. My daughter is reading it for me at the moment and once I have her opinion I shall write the fifth draft.

I was in Waterstones in Bluewater, quite a long way away from you, I think. Yes, the pile of books in Waterstones at Bluewater went down quickly too. The Time Wreccas appears to be selling well. In a couple of months it will be coming out in Russia. Can’t wait to see it in Russian. It is being translated into five languages.
How fortunate you are, being a book worm. I did not discover the joy of books until I was older. I missed out on so much. What an exciting idea, perhaps all the old trees in the park could hold a secret. This is something you could write about.

Like you, my daughter is something of a book worm. She loves fairy tales and I have promised to write one for her. I am not sure when I will be able to, but I am already planning the story. There may be a fairy or two in there, somewhere.

Do guardians live in other parts of London? Jade and Sangita, Islington, London

Hey Jade and Sangita,
That's a great question. There are Guardians in all regions of the world protecting time for us all. Consequently, in order to keep the numbers manageable, the regions need to be big or else there would be too many Guardians to summon for a Gathering. The Greenwich Guardian looks after all of London, but she has Elders to help her. In Greenwich, Bryn Brownal is a Park Elder and on the Council. In each London area there will be Elders and a Council to help things run smoothly, but the Greenwich Guardian is the only London Guardian.

Hi Val, Did you help to design the brilliant cover? I used some ideas from it in an art lesson. Darren, Bristol, England

Hi Val how are you ? Emily here again. my next question is.... When did you decide you wanted to be a author and why ? from Emily P.S i am going to write to you Chloe, Wellingborough, England

Gareth wrote to me by post and asked if I walk through Greenwich Park every day.

Hi Val Emily here again i have got you another question How many days did it take you to set out and plan the story? Reply soon Emily Emily, Wellingborough, England

Hi Val, If you could be any character in the book who would you be and why ? From Chloe Chloe, Wellingborough, England

How did you feel when you first saw The Time Wreccas in a shop and people reading it? Ellie, Wellingborough, England