Lucky 13 Interview With Jennifer Killick

1 – Can you start by telling us a little about your current book?

My most recently published book is the third in my middle grade comedy series, and is called 'Alex Sparrow and the Zumbie Apocalypse'. Alex Sparrow is a boy with a rather embarrassing super-power: whenever somebody tells a lie, his ear farts; only he can hear the sound, but everyone can smell the terrible stink that comes out of his ear. He works with Jess, who can communicate with animals; Bob, a goldfish with an incredible memory and eye for detail, and a host of other characters, both animal and human. In this story, there is something strange going on at Alex's mum's Zumba class - people are collapsing and then coming back to life. The only trouble is that they come back a little... different. Alex and Jess have to investigate and try to keep everyone safe. It's a Christmas story, with family (in all its different guises) at its heart. 2 – Are you a plotter or a panster?

I am a plotter. I find putting plots together really tricky, but if I spend time in advance working out what needs to happen in each chapter, I find it saves me from spending hours staring at the keyboard, not knowing where to go with my draft. 3 – Savoury or sweet?

I love all food an awful lot, but if I had to choose, then sweet. 4 – Three books to a desert Island. Go!

'The Passion' by Jeanette Winterson, 'Sense and Sensibility' by Jane Austen, and 'Chaos Walking' by Patrick Ness. 5 – Star Wars or Star Trek?

Star Wars, Star Wars, a million times Star Wars. 6 – Music or silence when writing?

I used to need silence, but I often have music on now, especially movie soundtracks. 7 – You’re a professional wrestler. What would your ring name be?

The Spiky Savage 8 – If you could live anywhere in the world, and take everything that you love with you, where would you choose?

Probably Paris. I absolutely love it there. 9 - Your favourite karaoke song?

Either 'I Bet That You Look Good On The Dancefloor' by the Arctic Monkeys or 'Love Story' by Taylor Swift 10 – One piece of advice to an aspiring writer?

Write from the heart. 11 – You win £1 million, but you must give half to charity. Which charity do you chose, and what do you do with the rest of the money?

Poppy's Hedgehogs, and I'd do some bits to my house - an extension and an amazing wildlife enclosure in the garden. 12 – Horror films, yes or no? If yes, any favourites?

OK: yes to horror films, but I am a massive scaredy cat, so I watch them from behind a cushion. Scary films that have stayed with me through the years include Blair Witch, Scream, Paranormal Activity, It, and The Ring. I also watched one called The Visit a year or so ago, about some kids visiting their grandparents, and I still shudder! 13 - What are you currently working on? I have just finished a first draft of a middle grade Christmas dystopia story, and I'm about to start plotting a sequel to 'Mo, Lottie and the Junkers'. My next book out is a middle grade horror comedy, called 'Crater Lake.' It's published in March.