She’s sold more than 25 million books in the UK alone and one of her stories has been made into a brilliant CBBC series. She has won shedloads of awards and even been made a Dame. Now she talks to our readers

When I am older I would like to be an author, though I would be tempted to write about Evie, my best friend. Have you ever written about your best friend, or even someone close to you, but used a different name? Isabel I’ve written about my best friend Chris in two volumes of my autobiography, Jacky Daydream and My Secret Diary. Thank goodness she liked the things I wrote! I don’t ever put real people in my stories, though — I prefer to make everything up, including the characters. However, I know lots of authors who put real people into their fiction, sometimes only lightly disguised. I’m sure that Evie would be very touched if you put her in a book.

Why do you write such sad books about real things? Charlotte Wilmot, 10

I know I do write sad books — I can’t seem to help it. It’s strange because I’m a very happy sort of person.

If you knew you would not fail, what would you most like to have a go at? The Burton Borough School Reading Group

I would love to be able to sing. There’s just one slight problem — I can’t sing in tune to save my life!

Do you have a favourite pen that you write with or a favourite notebook? Gabriella Culham, 8

I mostly write my stories with ordinary black UniBalls and I use new notebooks for each new story. I’ve just been given a beautiful bright green manuscript book with blue pages — I can’t wait to use it.

Where do you get the basic idea for your stories? Does something inspire you or do you just think it up or both? Lottie Sangster, 11

It’s hard to explain — sometimes ideas just pop into my head. I think about the basic idea for a while, then I try to develop it.

It’s as if I have a little film showing in my head, but at first I only see a couple of scenes at a time.

Which of your characters and novels are you most proud of? Molly Sadler, 8

I feel pleased that I managed to absorb myself in Victorian times when writing my new book Hetty Feather. I’m very fond of Hetty as a character.

I love your style, but why do you wear so many rings at the same time? Eleanor Cordy, 12

I like the way they look — but I have to take them off when I use my computer.

My favourite book is The Story of Tracy Beaker. What was your favourite book when you were my age? Chelsea Philp, 13

I’m glad you like The Story of Tracy Beaker. When I was 13 I had two favourite books, The Diary of Anne Frank and I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith.

When did you start writing books? Charlotte Robinson, 11

I wrote stories throughout my childhood, and by the time I was 15 I’d written a novel — but I had to wait until I was in my early twenties to get published.

Which of your characters is most like you? Julie-Anne Oliver, 14

Perhaps I’m like the twins in Double Act — I’m mostly like Garnet, imaginative and hard-working and anxious — but I can be a little bit of a show-off like Ruby sometimes!

Hetty Feather (Doubleday) is out now at £12.99

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