Julia Golding

Rebekah wrote on 28 July 2010:

i think this is how i pictured my encounter with Mr Coddrington to be: Sitting there, head buried into my hands awaiting the assessor, i clenched and unclenched my hands. I was nervous yet proud and excited. What was this going to be like? i thought to myself. Was there going to be anyone else? A brief greeting passed me and my assessor, he seemed nervous too. He gave instructions for me to follow, i did as i was told. Spinning to each animal in turn, they gave strange wails of pain or maybe fear. They even turned in circles. Dropping my arms abruptly, my assessor looked doubtful and spots of fear in his eyes too. “You’ve failed” He told me in a short, but firm voice. Without another word, he left. I sat there wondering what had gone wrong.

Becca wrote on 27 July 2010:

my favourite mythical creature is the dragon! i've been writing about them alot. i want to become a writer when i'm older, and i think this is good practise. your books inspired me, along with Cat Royal and a series by another author. keep on writing julia :)

chloe a universal wrote on 27 July 2010:

how can you be a universal raniey? don't you think connie would find out?if you've been reading the books properly... iv'e pictured mine too. i'm not nervous i'm actually excited and i'm all fidgety waiting for mr coddrington to come in. then he walks in quickly so he can get this over and done with.he brings in the emblem of the society and i put my hand around them all.The lizard moves the crystal glows and the all fours move too.He said that he doesn't no which companions mine but he has a feeling it's more than one and the main one is very strong... so i don't know what mine is yet but i hope it's something that hasn't been around for ages...

Coral wrote on 26 July 2010:

I took the assessment test, and recieved dragon, so I now REALLY want to write some Coddrington assessment spin-offs. Here is my first (based off me): The petite, bespectacled girl stood outside the office, awaiting the creepy Mr. Coddrington nervously. Tanned hands digging into denim pockets, she tried to calm herself by humming a familiar tune, but her efforts proved futile; the man arrived, leaving her nowhere to go but to return to her nervous terror. Shakily, she entered the office, and did as she was instructed; she spun, arms pointed outward, and noticed the lowest symbol crawling around. After sharply noting some sentences upon his clipboard, Mr. Coddrington cleared his throat, and raised his hand. "You may stop", he spoke rather sharply. "It seems you are a Dragon Companion. Congratulations. Oh, and you may leave." With mingled surprise and relief, the girl tucked her brunette curls behind her ears, thanked the man, and made her way outside, glad to get out of the room. A dragon! This most certainly would be interesting.

Janiey-ran wrote on 23 July 2010:

Hey Julia! I pictured my assessment with Mr. Coddrington like this: I'm all tensed up but somehow I'm not sweating. I'm all shaky. He brings the emblem of the Society in his left hand. In his right hand is a clipboard and pen. He gives me this glare that indicates that he'd rather be somewhere else. I breathe deep breaths. After he indicates what my companion is, he doesn't tell me! That's how I pictured it, but I was just nervous and thought crazy! Turns out I'm a Universal!

chloe a universal wrote on 23 July 2010:

i don't have a local society raniey! hmmm im annoyed

crystal wrote on 23 July 2010:

Hi, Julia! I love your boks very much! Your books and many other fanciful books have helped to inspire me on a series I am writing at the moment. (Perhaps you will see it published?) I have a few questions: 1: What's your favorite mythical creature? I have to go with a dragon. 2: What inspired YOU to write this series? 3:Are you going to write a second series to the Companions Quartet? I certainly hope so!!!

Hi Crystal I love dragons too but also have a soft spot for selkies which are closest in character to my own husband (I suspect him of being one as he can swim underwater for a very long time). Inspiration is on FAQ page as is the answer to your last question. best wishes Julia

Janiey-ran wrote on 22 July 2010:

Chloe, to get the assessment, you have to get it the way Col or Connie got the assessment. Either they have to know you have talent or contact your local Society. If all else fails, ask Julia!

Hi Chloe/Janiey-ran, you know what would be fun: if you wrote a short piece imagining your own assessment with Mr Coddrington... Julia

chloe a universal wrote on 21 July 2010:

janiey can you please tell me!! xx =3

Janiey-ran wrote on 19 July 2010:

Hey Julia! I got some questions that I've been dying to find out. First of all, how did you get the inspiration to write about the Society? Also, who is your favorite character in the Companions Quartet and why? Which character can you relate to the most? What is your favorite book out of the four?

See FAQs for the first question. I like lots of different characters - Rat is fun to write as he is so quirky. Connie is closest to me. I don't like one book above another but I like the flying with Kullervo scene in Gorgon. J

chloe a universal wrote on 19 July 2010:

how do i contact him? please tell me!

He is unlikely to answer...you know what he is like. J

Janiey-ran wrote on 17 July 2010:

Hey Chloe, it's easy! Just contact Mr. Coddrington. You'll do just fine.

Lellowlemon wrote on 17 July 2010:

Hi Julia, What do you do, or where do you go to be tested for the society because the internet test keeps coming up with a different group each time? thanks

If is just a game... Stick with the one you want most. J

chloe a universal wrote on 16 July 2010:

hi jainey rain! wow you are!! that's amazing! how did you take the trial can you tell me...PLEAAASE! i begging! i'm probally a selkie companion but please tell me!! xx

Gia wrote on 16 July 2010:

Im a big fan even though i didnt read secret of the sirens yet. but from my friend janiey ran she recommended it for me so one question: what authors do you like or admire besides yourself?

It depends which genre you have in mind. I love Tolkien for fantasy - modern writers Garth Nix and Tamora Pierce. Jane Austen is a favourite. Lots more that I like too. J

Janiey-ran wrote on 15 July 2010:

Yeah chloe I feel the same way. The moment I've been waiting for has arrived. My companion or should I say companions is basically every creature! I'm a Universal! It explains why so many creatures keep following me! Now I wonder how to fit in....????

Janiey-ran wrote on 15 July 2010:

Sweet! Guess what? I took the trial today and I'm in the Society! The only thing was that he didn't tell me who my companion was. Suspicious isn't it? Well now the problem is that I'm the only one in my group of friends whose in the Society but that's okay with me. Now I'm just waiting on the results of who my companion is.

chloe a universal wrote on 14 July 2010:

hey janiey ran that happens to me too! my cat woundn't stop following me! and no i didn't have any cat nip in my pocket! hehehe! Then a couple of birds (when i was at the park) kept flying right above me! (and NO i didnt have any food!) i looked like a right idiot! (embarrasing!) =3 so you think i'm spose to be in the society? my friends think im weird... :( and a vampire! now their weird

Janiey-ran wrote on 14 July 2010:

A lot of animals (in general)! Sometimes a few odd animals follow me. No, I don't have bacon in my back pocket or honey perfume on. No matter what I do more animals keep following me. I need advice on how exactly to go on in a normal life. If I'm not normal, am I supposed to be in the Society?

Definitely ;)

Janiey-ran wrote on 13 July 2010:

I just love the Companions Quartet! It's something that's just to die for! I could keep reading the books over and over again and it would never bore me! I even recommended the books to my friends. Hopefully they have taken my advice on reading them! Connie is my favourite character. She's just like me. Weird and outgoing. Julia I have a question. When a bunch of animals start to follow you, what does this indicate? And if they follow you for 5 hours (nonstop) how do you get rid of them? If I'm destined to be in the Society, how do I contact Mr. Codrington?(not sure if spelled right)

What animals? Do you have bacon in your back pocket or honey perfume on? J