Way We Write

Barbara Baker's previous books include Let the Credits Roll: Interviews with Film Crew (McFarland & Company, 2003) Why We Garden: Stories of a British Obsession (Aston House Press, 2004).

• Introduction; Al Alvarez; Michael Bond; Raymond Briggs; Tracy Chevalier; Margaret Drabble; U.A. Fanthorpe; Julian Fellowes; Sara Maitland; Harry Mathews; Michael Morpurgo; Joyce Carol Oates; Don Paterson; Willy Russell; Graham Swift; Eleanor Updale; Benjamin Zephaniah. Brief information on the writers included with an example of their most recent or best-known work:; Al Alvarez is a poet, critic and novelist (The Writer's Voice); Michael Bond is a children's author (Paddington Bear); Raymond Briggs is an author and illustrator (The Snowman); Tracy Chevalier writes historical fiction (The Girl with the Pearl Earring); Margaret Drabble is a novelist (The Millstone); U.A. Fanthorpe is a poet (Queuing for the Sun); Julian Fellowes is an actor and Oscar-winning screenwriter (Gosford Park); Sara Maitland is a novelist, short story and non-fiction writer (Becoming a Fairy Godmother); Harry Mathews is a poet and novelist (The Journalist); Michael Morpurgo is a children's author and the current Children's Laureate (Adolphus Tips); Joyce Carol Oates is a novelist (The Falls); Don Paterson is a poet and musician (Landing Light); Willy Russell writes plays, musicals and recently a novel (Educating Rita); Graham Swift is a Booker Prize winning novelist (Last Orders); Eleanor Updale writes children's novels (Montmorency); Benjamin Zephaniah is a poet, novelist and playwright (Refugee Boy).

"'thoughtful, probing, reassuring at times, startling and generously provocative at others. There is much warmth and humour...it also tackles those big questions that fascinate so many people - what is inspiration and where does it come from; to what extent is writing autobiographical, and so forth.' Nigel Jenkins, University of Swansea"