Julia Golding

Katie Mae wrote on 14 May 2013:

Good afternoon. Is this Mr Sheperd or Miss Cat? I just wondered if there was any way cat would ever find escape from billy and if life with her brother was good. ive yet to read the middle passage but would love ton know what happens next... :)

Cat here - I'm saving the messages for Billy for him to answer in one go. Rabbie and I get on like a house on fire - think about it...

Luna wrote on 13 May 2013:

Hi, Cat. This is a kind of P.S. from my other messege. I haven't read all of the books, so I'm sorry if you've said something about it. What have you done with the horse that was given to you by Tecumseh? Sasakwa, I think she was called?

Frank is looking after her - or his grooms are - at Boxton.

Abby K. wrote on 12 May 2013:

Hi Cat! I am now reading "Den of Theves", and I can't believe you were almost hanged! Oh, the kid that remids me of Billy is still bugging my friend and myself-including harassing me about who my crush is (the creep had to figure it out!) Any ideas please?! Thanks!-Abby

I would not risk escalating the situation by retaliating. Ignore him but he is wanting to get a reaction.

Luna wrote on 12 May 2013:

To Cat, hi! Do you know of a bookshop that has your books? I've been trying to find Cat's Cradle but it doesn't seem to be anywhere... Also, you know how you've been living in lots of different people's homes? Which one did you like the most?

I would ask Dr Golding if I were you about the books. I think I feel most at home in Bow Street, even if it isn't the most comfortable.

Haseena wrote on 12 May 2013:

Have you encountered Billy lately? Does he still like you? If you meet him sometime would you ask him what charateristics he likes in a girl?

We have kept our distance. I wouldn't raise the issue with him.

Anju wrote on 10 May 2013:

Yo, I was wondering, if you always get yelled at for pointing out the obvious like saying somebody is fat or that they've got a bad personality, why do people tell you to be quiet and not say that? I'm just saying, it's the truth and my folks always tell me to tell the truth and when I do, I get in trouble. does that mean I should lie? I mean, its not like what I tell these people'll affect me in any way.

There is truth and truth. Some things you can think but it is harmful to say (no one is forcing you to speak your mind are they?). Telling the truth has to be tempered with thinking about the other person's feelings. That isn't the same as lying.

Amy J wrote on 08 May 2013:

Hello pls tell me billy is still taking questions!!! I hope I haven't missed him!!!

Yes.

Largy wrote on 07 May 2013:

Hi Cat I was wondering if you know which day Billy will be taking your place, just want to know so I can pester him until he has decided he has had enough of this

When I catch up with him. I think the end of this month.

Sierra wrote on 03 May 2013:

Oh Cat! I am in desperate need of your advice! You see, at my school, there is a talent show where you can dance, sing, play music, do a comedy ect. I mentioned the idea to my er.. rather studious, quiet friends and they were appalled that I would even suggest it. ( This made me laugh) The next day, one of my friends decided she wanted to do it with me so I said sure.We decided upon a comedy where we would play music, act, and be silly. My other friends kept on saying we were just going to embarrass ourselves, but we just kept going on with it and even filled out the forms. Today, I began to wonder if we should do it or not and decided I didn't want to do it anymore because we don't have a solid plan. I crumpled up the paper and threw it away, but then I had to come back to the classroom to get something else. My teacher saw me and said I should do it. I barely thought about it- curse my impulsiveness! - and then I got the crumpled paper and turned it in. My friend I'm doing it with was ecstatic and my other friends' jaws dropped. I grinned recklessly. The only problem is that now I'm not sure what I was thinking!- I don't want us to make fools of ourselves, I want our act to be good! So, I need your advice on an act and I can't back out now. Thank you so much for any advice you can give on this matter. Sierra

Good luck with this - there is nothing to be ashamed of in having a go. You need to choose your material carefully, something that does not fall flat with the audience. If you know what other people think about you, you can begin with that. For example, if you recognise that no one expects this from the quiet girl, you could start there and share some wry observances on school life. Self-parody is always popular.

a friend wrote on 03 May 2013:

Hi Cat! Out of curiosity, if you ever got married, what is your idea of a perfect wedding venue?

A beautiful city church followed by a breakfast in a garden in the sunshine.

Anna wrote on 03 May 2013:

Dear Cat I have this friend. We have been really good friends with about three years and are quite close. She can be really good fun and a great friend, but only when she's in a good mood. When she isn't she is quite sullen, silent,snappy and almost impossible to deal with. And just so negative! I don't mean to make her sound so bad, she's not a monster I just feel slightly depressed after spending time with her when she's in a bad mood. Am I just making a fuss about nothing? Thanks in advance for your help Anna

Dear Anna If it is a problem for you, then it is a real one. Have you considered widening your circle of friends so you can dilute the impact of her bad moods?

Grace wrote on 01 May 2013:

Cat, What is your absolute most embarrassing moment? For someone who has been on so many adventures I'm sure there must be at least one. - Grace

There are so many - probably being kissed by Billy in the Assembly Rooms.

Abby H. wrote on 30 April 2013:

To Cat- Forgive for me saying this, but I really think you and J-F belong together after all you are both very similar(well besides the thieving part!) Would you ever consider it??? -Abby

An intriguing thought.

Alice wrote on 29 April 2013:

Hello Cat, I'm really jealous of a girl in my class, her name's Mary and she does everything perfectly. Every project she hands in is perfect and really, really pretty. She's good at everything; sports, music, art, all school subjects. The problem is that she's really nice to me and I shouldn't be feeling jealous but I can't help it. What should I do?

This is about you rather than her. I suggest you start to think about your own good points and perhaps write them down to boost your confidence. Let Mary be Mary and you can be yourself. That might lead to a real friendship rather than envy.

Grace wrote on 28 April 2013:

Cat, I'm a tom-boy and I can't really help it but my friends are all girly-girls. They treat me differently because of that and I don't really want them to. What should I do?

Be proud to be yourself. People only feel awkward with those who are awkward about themselves. Cat

GOKU wrote on 27 April 2013:

i can't beleive i'm saying this but i'm happy Billy's next. he makes things interesting and he is sometimes funny. he's mainly a threatening guy. i wonder how he would be if he went insane...

helen wrote on 27 April 2013:

What do i do if my friend is convinced that they have an elter ego that is 'supposedly' Billy Shepherd. i'm very worried for them, please inform Billy so he can scare them into not pretending any more.

He'd probably find it flattering.

Luna wrote on 27 April 2013:

Hi Cat, some questions to ask you: What's your favourite colour? Animal? What would you wish if you had 3 wishes? Who's your absolute best friend?

Green. Cat. For more wishes of course. Pedro-Syd-Frank - pick one!

Luna wrote on 26 April 2013:

Hello Syd! How are you? You're one of my favourite characters in Cat's books. What's your favourite colour? How's the gang?

No Syd - just Billy to ask.

Hello World! wrote on 25 April 2013:

Hello Cat... do you know what really annoys me???? In your time, Les Miserables hasn't been published yet!!!!! In fact, I don't think Victor Hugo is even alive!!!!! This means that you won't get to read one of the most amazing books ever!!!! :( Please, please, PLEASE ask Dr Golding to explain to you the story!!!!! Because it is amazing and I know that you have great respect for literature.... it's set around the 1832 June Uprising in France.... not that you know what that is...:(((((( Love from me, xox

There is enough going on in Paris at the moment to worry about the future!