Julia Golding

Coco wrote on 24 September 2007:

Hi Julia. I've just finished The Diamond of Drury Lane. It was fantastic. Where did you get the idea for the airballoon in the theatre; that's pure genius! Coco

Hi Coco The play is actually a real one! Julia

Anna Maria Balmer wrote on 23 September 2007:

Hi Julia Me again! I am just finishing the third book and i cant wait for the next one. You are my favorite author (well you were since i read the first book!) so i am warning you i will write again and again and again! I have a question :where do you get all the names for the mythical creatures from? They’re really good names My favorite creature is probably Icefen, he sounds so cool! Which is your favorite book? Love Anna

Hi Anna The names are created to reflect the creature - Gard because he has guardian-like qualities. Icefen because the great wolf in myths was called Fenris so a frost wolf should be Icefen, and so on. I don't have a favourite book but I do like certain scenes such as Connie flying with Kullervo in book 2. Julia

Aurora wrote on 23 September 2007:

Hi, it's me again! Thanks for your help with my last question, I got an A* on my coursework! I've decided to write it into a book and I've got all my characters, but they are based on people I know and can't seem to change their personalities. Do you know how I can do this? I want to make it a secret and I don't want other people to know how much I've based it on my own life. Thanks, Roar x

Hi Aurora, To get away from real people you need to day-dream your characters a bit more - develop them in your mind and ask yourself questions about them, perhaps put them in a new/unfamiliar environment. Julia

jo wrote on 23 September 2007:

you wrote to jess on the 16th september wahat do you mean the end will not be conventional do you think you will have any serie that come from another say for example pedro hakins series that comes from the cat royal series

Hi Jo That's a good idea... Julia

Coco wrote on 22 September 2007:

WOW! I'm reading The Diamond of Drury Lane and it really amazing. I really don't like the sound of Marchmont and Pedro and Johnny seem a bit dodgy. Congratulations on another happy customer! Coco x

Abi wrote on 22 September 2007:

Hi Julia, I love the Companions Quartet and just finished reading The Chimera's Curse. I was wondering since Connie didn't tell anyone what happened to her and Kullervo, if you are going to write another book? I hope you will! Thanks, Abi

Hi Abi You're right that there is still more to say. I felt it was too big a subject to cover at the end of Chimera and she would want to keep it to herself for a while to get to grips with the change. Life doesn't end with 'happily ever after' does it, but always goes on beyond the end of the book. Julia

Stephanie wrote on 22 September 2007:

Hi Julia, If you want to publish a book, do you have to go on any courses or get high grades like A* ?? Thanks (All your books are superb!!!) Stephanie X

Hi Stephanie, While grades and courses may help, all you really have to do is write a good book that a publisher likes! Julia

steph wrote on 21 September 2007:

hi julia i was woundering how many books are in the companions quatet? steph

Hi Steph There are 4 - you can see them on the books pages on this site. Julia

Coco wrote on 21 September 2007:

Hi Julia. I've now got a good way through The Diamond of Drury Lane. I love the bit about the airballoon in the theatre and Pedro saving Cat; it's really imaginative. Where did you get the idea for an airballoon; as my friend Rory would say, it's 'mintage'!! Coco x

Hi Coco See my other reply... Julia

Coco wrote on 21 September 2007:

Hi Julia - me again! I was just wondering how many Darcie Lock books there are going to be, and I can't wait for the second one next year! Coco xx

Hi Coco I don't know yet. There's a second and I've started work on a third... Julia

Fiona wrote on 20 September 2007:

Hi Julia, I adored the Ringmaster, infact, Ioved it so much that I started it last night and finished this morning! I hope you'll be writing tons more and not just 1 & 2. I've never read any of your other books but I'm going to now! Do you base your characters on any real people you know or I they all just imaginary? When I write my stories I write what I want to be, generally. Is it the same with you? Love the books! xxx Fi

Hi Fiona Good question - generally I only borrow small things from people, not entire characters - e.g. a mannerism. It is best to let the characters grow in to their own person. And yes I do often write as I would wish to be. Julia

Kari wrote on 20 September 2007:

Hi Julia, I've just finished cat o'nine tails, it was excellent I'm really sad that the next cat royal book won't be out until next year, black heart of Jamaica, whats the sixth book going to be called? Is cat royal your favourite character.I think Cat and Frank would make a great couple or maybe cat and J.F or even Charlie who do you think? Somehow I don't think cat and syd will ever get together.I suppose it will all be revealed when the final book comes out, how many are you planning to write! Kari

Hi Kari The sixth book is probably going to be called Cat's Cradle and I'm writing 9 in total. No decisions yet as to who (if anyone) Cat pairs up with. There's so much more to her than who her boyfriend is... Julia

Coco wrote on 20 September 2007:

Hi Julia. I am just starting 'The Diamond of Drury Lane' and it's fantastic. I had to pick it up after one look at the cover though, it's gorgeous. Who designed it? Coco x

Hi there An artist called Tim Spencer - his name is on the back cover I think. Julia

Darcey Stickley wrote on 19 September 2007:

I saw that you're coming to cambridge for an event on 27 or 28 of september, where would that be? I would love to come!

Hi Darcey (I love the name!) 28 September, I'm at St John's College School and Perse Junior School. In the middle of the day I'll probably be signing stock at Heffers. Julia

Coco wrote on 19 September 2007:

Hi Julia. I've already read Ringmaster and I loved it. I'd love to read some of your other books also. Could you give me a brief overview of some of your other books please. Thanks x

Hi Coco, This is what this website if for. All you need do is go to the book page and navigate your way through the books listed on the side panel. Enjoy! Julia

Kimberley Watson wrote on 18 September 2007:

Hi Julia Just reread 'The Secret of the Sirens' and really enjoyed it. I was just wondering, are any of your books on audio CD? Best Wishes Kimberley

Hi Kimberley Diamond of Drury Lane is; Cat among the Pigeons, Ship Between the worlds and Ringmaster will be soon. Julia

Catherine wrote on 17 September 2007:

Hi I haven't read your Darcy Lock books, but I have read your Cat ones and they're boss! I just noticed that Darcy Lock fences, and it intreigued me to ask, do you know much about the sport yourself? My step dad is my fencing coach and I love it- the dicipline, the psychology- and I hope to fence for Britain one day. Keep writing, all the books of yours I've read are sound, Cate

Hi Cate I'm a bit of a duffer at sport but wish I wasn't (that's why my characters are all much better than me at these things). I hope you enjoy Ringmaster when you get to it. Julia

Livvi wrote on 17 September 2007:

Ha! Me again! I don't suppose there is a place where I can find a list of ALL of the Companions characters is there???

Hi Livvi, I don't think so - I've not done one. Julia

Livvi wrote on 17 September 2007:

Hey Julia. It's not finished yet, but I'm doing a roleplay for the Companions Quartet! It's a part of a site called www.so-you-want-to-roleplay.piczo.com!!! I hope I can get as many people as possible to sign up for it!!! I met you once and we had our photo taken for the newspaper :) That was WAY back when Secret of the Sirens had just come out. Still loving the books, still adore the characters!!! Hope to finish the roleplay soon. I'm buying Chimeara's Curse this weekend because I didn't have enough money last time :( How do you write books so quickly? Mine take me an AGE to write!!! Is it true you've sold the film rights to one of your books? P.S. You should write more about Connie, I would love to read more.

Hi Livvie Flim rights have not yet been sold, but who knows what will happen - the books have just started coming out internationally so we'll see. I don't know anything about role playing so readers will have to follow the link at their own discretion. Julia

Roisin wrote on 17 September 2007:

Hiya!! Thank you so much for writing the Cat Royal books, she has beaten Lizzy Bennet to my all time favourite fictional heroine! I've become completely obsessed with the books, but I'm just a little worried that I'll have reached 18 before the series is finished: are you going to write the stories for older readers as Cat ages herself? Also, i just wondered why you made Cat look the way she does-I mean, she seems to have all these lads falling for her and yet by the description, you woldn't find her on the front of Vogue. Thanks, Roisin

Hi Roisin, Cat will probably be done and dusted as a series by 2010 - so I hope you stay with her. As for how she looks, she doesn't think she's pretty, but others do (sound familiar?). Also, remember that ideas of beauty change - those on Vogue would have been thought of as ugly sticks in Georgian times. Julia p.s. I'm very flattered she ranks anywhere near Lizzie Bennet who is also a favourite of mine.