1. What inspired you to first start writing?
I’ve been writing since I could pick up a pencil. I’ve always wanted to tell stories, and disappear into stories. It’s how my brain has always worked.
2. How long have you been writing? When did you first start?
When I was about six or so, I had an ongoing saga of stories about a frog who owned an aeroplane and delivered post around the forest to the other creatures. But I started really concentrating on my writing just before going to uni.
3. Can you tell us about your new book Jamie?
Jamie is about the happy 11-year-old non-binary title character, who loves video games, gummy bears and hanging out with their two best friends, Daisy and Ash. But when they find out that their secondary schools are going to b split – one for boys and one for girls – Jamie realises no one has thought about where they are going to go. And with split schools, they’re at risk of losing touch with one of their best friends…
4. Can you describe your book using only three words?
Joy. Protest. Pride.
5. How does it feel being a published author knowing readers are really enjoying your stories?
It’s cliché, but it really is my dream come true! It never gets old seeing my books on shelves or in readers’ hands!
6. You have also written The Strangeworlds Travel Agency series. Please can you tell us more about this series?
The Strangeworlds Travel Agency is about Flick, a 12-year-old girl who discovers a treasure trove of magical suitcases; each one you step into transports you to a different enchanted world. Flick and her new friends Jonathan and Avery have a lot of adventures, from fighting pirates to saving entire worlds from destruction.
7. What is the most difficult part of your writing process?
Editing. I love drafting, it feels like free-wheeling down a hill, but editing feels like a Sisyphean effort every single time – the good part is getting to the top of the editorial mountain and seeing what a great result your editor helped you achieve!
8. What advice would you give to those who are writing their first book?
Get to the end. Endings are great, endings are good. If your book has an ending, there’s somewhere for your characters to end up, and then working out how to get them there is a lot easier.
9. Where is your favourite place to write?
I usually write in my office at home, but for a special treat I like to take a trip to Gladstone’s Library in North Wales – it feels like writing in an enchanted castle!
10. Which authors do you most admire and why?
I really love Akwaeke Emezi’s writing, they are able to say so much whilst being so concise, I want to be like them when I grow up.
11. What risks have you taken with your writing that have paid off?
Writing Jamie felt like a risk – I think my publishers were expecting another fantasy book, like Strangeworlds, and I handed in a contemporary schools drama instead. Luckily, my publishing team are amazing, and they were very excited to develop Jamie with me.
12. If you could spend the day with another author who would you choose and why?
Probably Neil Gaiman – we’d need a full day so I could get him to sign all the books I own of his…
13. Which book has been your favourite to write to date and why?
My special World Book Day book – Adventure in the Floating Mountains. It was amazing to have the opportunity to write another Strangeworlds Travel Agency adventure, particularly when the main trilogy was about to come to an end. It felt like a wonderful piece of punctuation after the main story.
14. Are you writing anything else at the moment? If so, are you able to give us any clues?
I’m writing a lot of things I can’t talk about, which I know is frustrating to hear, but when I can talk about them, you will be sick of me for sure!
I want to say a huge thank you to L.D Lapinski for taking the time to answer my questions and feature on my blog. You can buy all of L.D Lapinski’s book at booksellers, online and of course using any independent bookshop.
You can also follow L.D Lapinski on social media. Twitter: @ldlapinski Instagram: @ldlapinski
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