I get so many letters from children, and answer them all. But a lot of the questions you ask are the same - so here's a selection, with my replies.

Q. What are your hobbies?

A. Apart from writing and reading, (which are my jobs as well !), I used to love painting and drawing. The trouble is, I have very little time now. I like being with my family and friends, sometimes walking my dogs, and riding pillion on a beautiful Harley Davidson motorcycle. I love listening to CDs and enjoy all kinds of music, from classical to blues.

Q. Do you have any pets?

A. Yes, I have an adorable tiny white Maltese called Bonnie, who goes everywhere with me. She's five now. Click here to see some pictures of her

Q. Do you like sport ?

A. Yuk !

Q. Where do your ideas come from ?

A. In the Kitty stories - family life, and also my own memories of being a child, and being afraid of the dark, and so on. There was a real boy next door called William, and of course, Kitty's brother is really called Dan. But I watch and listen too, and make things up.

Q. Do you like being a writer ?

A. I love it - and have loved it since I wrote my first poems and stories when I was your age. Sometimes writing is lonely and hard, and then I want to escape and do something else - like some journalism or maybe a radio programme. But I always miss writing if I leave it too long. And every day I write a journal, no matter where I am or how busy.

Q. Do you find writing hard ?

A. Not really - although you always have to be ready to re-write. Maybe the word that comes into your head isn't the right one. I always tell children that nothing worth doing can be done in five minutes.

Q. What were you like at school ?

A. Hardworking, cheeky and friendly - and always with dirty fingernails. I loved school !

Q. What football team do you support ?

A. To be honest, I'm not that interested - but I couldn't come from Liverpool and not support Liverpool FC, could I ?
Last year, for the first time, I watched Bath's famous rugby team play, and I thought they were brilliant.