Blog A New Chapter: Q&A with Alex Horne
By Jenni Harrison | Author Interview
What inspired you to write The Last Pebble?
About seven years ago I was on a rare walk on a beach near
Bognor with my wife and without our kids. There were pebbles. We didn’t have
anything much to do so we picked up some pebbles, looked at those pebbles and
threw those pebbles back into the sea. We talked about where the pebbles had
come from, how long it had taken them to get to Bognor and it struck me that
they’d be able to tell an extraordinary story if only they could talk. And in
that exact moment I knew I’d had to write a book to tell that tale.
Who is your favourite character and why?
I suppose Grandpa is my favourite character for various
reasons, but I do also like Charlotte. And Trader. And Ben and Rick. But I’ll
go with Grandpa because he’s both the grandfather I’d love to have and the
grandfather I’d love to be. He’s good at making things. He can turn his hand to
all sorts of bits and bobs. He’s practical and good at guiding Trader. He’s
also a little mysterious and I don’t think I’m very mysterious.
What was the most challenging part of writing it? How did
you overcome it?
When I first started writing the book it was a story about
some stones that could talk. I wanted them to tell their own tale. But after
finishing what turned out to be the first of several drafts, I realised that it
didn’t quite work. Stones can’t talk. And I wanted my readers to believe the
story. So I had to rewrite the whole thing with the human characters telling
the story instead of the stones. That was a tough rewrite and rethink. But it
was just one of several rewrites that all helped shape the book into what I
hope is a much more satisfying read.
If you had to choose one word to describe the feeling you
hope readers will have after finishing your book, what would it be?
Buoyed. That was the toughest question so far but I think
that’s about right.
If The Last Pebble were turned into a movie, who would
you like to see cast as Trader and Grandpa?
That’s a huge if, but I’m always happy to daydream! Greg
won’t like me saying this but who better to play a stern-faced wise man with a
giant stride? As for Trader, I don’t know any actors his age but I did work
behind the scenes on Junior Taskmaster and many of those kids had exactly the
right amount of curiosity to step into his shoes.
Do you have a favourite place to write?
I don’t any more. I used to write in a little office-type
shed at the bottom of the garden but my own kids have taken that over. Now it’s
a case of writing wherever and whenever I can; on a train, in a cafe, by a
river, in a taxi, waiting for something, in bed before everyone else awakes, in
the bath - I love to squeeze in a few more words at all possible opportunities
AS LONG AS I’M FEELING IT! So this means not being too tired, frustrated or
uninspired, so it absolutely doesn’t happen all the time.
Do you have any writing rituals or routines that help you
get into the creative mindset?
Again, I don’t any more. I used to listen to podcasts about
writing and read tips for writers but I’ve learnt to trust myself to get on
with it. The first drafts were all about getting the words out there; one
hundred, two hundred, five hundred words per day. Then came the painstaking
cutting and rewriting. And that was just about working hard.
After reading The Last Pebble I immediately wanted to go
out beachcombing – have you got any top tips for spotting those special stones?
I’m so glad you said that. If any kids picked up a special
pebble or had a good old wander on a beach in search of something precious
because they’d read this book I’d be overjoyed. You don’t need tips, you just
need time and inclination. Then you can scan the beach as you walk, waiting for
anything to catch your eye. It’s as simple as that. You’ll find some sort of
treasure, I promise.
This is your first book for children – do you plan to
write more?
When I finally finished, after seven years of stumbling
through various processes, I didn’t think I’d ever do it again. But now I’m
holding an actual book with a beautiful cover (by Júlia Moscardó) I’ve pretty
much forgotten any pain that I went through! And I really love Trader and
Charlotte and would certainly be interested in finding out about their next
adventure. So let’s say I don’t have any current plans but if I keep getting
asked great questions like these I’d be tempted.
Will we see any pebble-based tasks in future series of
Taskmaster?
I absolutely expect so. The best tasks, I think, are the ones that people can try at home, that don’t require specialist equipment and are simple. Pebbles fit right into those conditions and are packed with potential, as well as being the most satisfying things in the world to hold in your hand. Thanks for putting the idea in my mind.
The Last Pebble is out on 3rd July, published by Walker Books.
