a. Yes! And I've always loved hearing and reading stories. You can change your life with a book. I think story telling is part of growing up (and I'm still doing that!) in all cultures. As a child I was fascinated by the tales of Greek mythology and nowadays I collect stories from all over the world. I've got some beautiful tales from the elders of Native American tribes that I brought back from Canada and some chillingly brilliant folk tales about trolls that I bought in Norway, for example.

q. Did you start writing for your children?

a. Yes, originally, because they asked me to. But after a while, it became such fun that I was writing for me too! Now I'm writing for thousands of kids and that makes me feel so proud. I feel like I'm making a difference. There's a real sense of vocation.

q. Do you think being a doctor has helped?

a. Yes. I work with my readers as I would work through problems with patients. It's a dynamic process. That way, I know I'm getting it right. I've written medical things but I don't think I could have written fiction much earlier in my life.

q. Are any of the stories based on your own experience?

a. Slightly. I think all creative writing must draw on the writer's experiences but there's a lot of fantasy too! I make a point of going to see places for myself so that I can describe them with passion, from the heart. I suppose it's a bit like Monet doing outdoor sketches, and then refining them in the painting studio. I think my art training is useful too. I feel as if I'm describing a moving painting sometimes!

q. Which book do you like the most?

a. That's hard! I like them all when I'm writing them. Each one has particular meanings and memories for me. I suppose The Curse of Rocamadour will always have a special place in my heart, because it was the first. But I think I'm a much better writer these days (there's certainly a lot less re-writing when the first drafts come back from the editor!). Millennium Spies has got some terrific action sequences and I loved creating the character of Tostig. I'm not surprised it's been nominated for a book prize. Then again, I enjoyed creating the character of Caravaggio in The Keys of Rome and I like bringing back characters like the teachers and Alice's friend Sarah, from earlier books. And there's a lot more scope for action nowadays, since Robert and Alice have discovered Time Tunnels and Time Regents. I'm really into Pilgrim now though!

q. Are Alice and Robert going to get any older?

a. No. It's what's called the Peter Pan effect. Like in Enid Blyton's Famous Five adventures, my heroes will always be twelve years old. Maybe one day I'll write the book about what happened to them when they grew up!

q. How many books will there be in The Time Trigger Series?

a. I don’t know! Lots. Since Royal Pirates I had to take a break to set up the Dragonheart Foundation which is loads of fun. I am involved with library projects and schools work but book six is underway and the Dragonheart team are pressing me to finish it.