Julia Golding

Sophie wrote on 20 August 2007:

I love all of your books. Especially the ones about Cat. I really can't wait to see what happens in the next one and it would be really cool if there was a fight between Syd and Billy over Cat. I thought the best book was 'Cat Among The Pigeons' I loved it when she hid at the school pretending to be a boy. How many books were you planning to write in the seiries? I never want it to end. Also the new book 'Cat O Nine Tails' was great!!!!! I got a signed copy from 'Waterstones in Truro' Sophie.

Hi Sophie There'll be 9, I hope. I popped in to Waterstones on my holiday. Jamie, the bookseller in the Children's dept, is a Cat fan and great fun. Julia

Katriona wrote on 20 August 2007:

Hi Julia, I need a tip on a story I am writing. When should I start the first draft? I have done factfiles for the two main characters and have finished the very basic storyline - I have written a few sentences for each chapter. Is it better to start writing now and just use ideas as they come or plan more thoroughly? Your advice would be much appreciated. Oh, and also, could you tell me more about the Fantasy novel Dragonfly which you are writing, out Spring 2008 please?

Hi Katriona You sound at the point where you can start writing out in full so why not give it a go? I'm devising a new page for Dragonfly - it'll be up soon. Julia

Amy (again!) wrote on 20 August 2007:

Hi Julia, i was wondering if Cat and Syd will ever get together?? Or if it will be Cat and Pedro or Cat and Frank? Me and my friends were having a debate about it and we were wondering if you could give any clues on which way the wind is blowing... Amy xxx

Hi Amy Ah well. That would be telling. What I can say is that Cat is probably going to get increasingly confused about who she likes and who likes her - just like real life for a teenager, hey? Julia

Amy wrote on 20 August 2007:

Hi Julia, the books you write are wonderful and I cant wait till i can get the 5th Cat Royal book, it sounds brilliant!!! do you think that the Cat Royal books will ever be made into films?? Amy xxx

Hi Amy I'd love it but Hollywood has not yet come calling... Probably not enough explosions/aliens/meteors/elves etc. Julia

Nathan wrote on 19 August 2007:

Hi, your books are great! Is there a sequel to Ship Between The Worlds coming out?

Hi Nathan I haven't planned one but neither have I ruled it out as you probably realize ;) Julia

Natalie wrote on 19 August 2007:

Dear Julia, I just got Cat o'nine tails yesterday. However, I've finished it. I would not reccomend staying up until 1/2 three in the morning to complete one of your AMAZING books unless you are on your summer holidays and know you don't have to get up until 12 noon the next day (or the same day actually). The book was amazingly gripping the phrase time flies when your having fun is true. The fast paced story held onto my mind forcing me to read more and more and the small funny quips made me giggle inconsolubly. The way you write just amazes me it gives you hints of 'who dunnit' and then makes you think that it couldn't possibly be them and then it is, or isn't it. And the romance element in the book, of course you want Cat to be with Syd but part of you wants her to be with Frank and a very small, tiny part wants her to be with Billy. I've also read the first three of the companions quartet and am searching franticly for the fourth in the series. I really can't think of two better series of books. A devoted fan.

Hi Natalie I hope I'm not responsible for too many sleepless nights....! Julia

Rosie wrote on 19 August 2007:

Hi! I'm doing a report on my favourite authour for homework and i have chosen you and I was wondering if you could help me with some things. 1.Did you have to research much for your Cat Royal books? (Yes, five years at university followed by on-going work now!) 2.When did you write your first book?What was it called? (Secret of the Sirens was written first, though published second. The first draft was 2002) 3.who was your favourite author when you were a child? (Tricky - possibly CS lewis) 4. where do you live? (Oxford) 5.What do you enjoy about writing? (Creating characters) thanks

Hi Rosie Answers among your questions. Julia

layah wrote on 19 August 2007:

hi again, i have got the 4th book of the companions quaret i have read it 4 times in three days! it is sooooooooooooo good i have now got all four books if it wasnt for my sister i would never have seen secret of the sirens and bought it that is awsome also as is the gorgans gaze and mines of the miotaur they are fab thank you for the enjoyment of reading them again and again and many more times i will continue to read them for the rest om life they are amazing and i think that everyone should read them they are a very good quartet to read (i think thats what you call a four sequel book) layah

Hi Layah (and Layah's sister) Glad you liked it. I felt really excited writing the end so I hope it lived up to expectations. Julia

Milliex wrote on 19 August 2007:

i'm so sorry that i keep writing to you. but there's just one more thing i want to say. COME TO INVERNESS, SCOTLAND!!!! it would be excellent if you could come to the easgate centre, waterstones and do book signings. i know quite a few people who love your books and probably many more that i dont know. hope you had a good holiday. btw, how many books many books are you doing for the companions quartet?

Hi Millie You'll have to lobby the Waterstones to get them to invite me! The quartet is 4 books. Julia

Milliex wrote on 19 August 2007:

Hi Julia! Its me again. I thought I'd tell you about my new story, Charms: The Earth Chapter. As you know its about 3 girls, Lizzie (Dizzy) Janie (Brainy) and just plain Maria. I hope you dont mind but the Companions Quartet gave me a lot of inspiration for my book so i added in some Mythical Creatures into the book. But none of them had the same names as yours like Eagle Child. Anyway, Charms is about these 3 girls and they are walking home from school when a man, his hat hiding his face, walks up to them and gives maria a plain necklace. it doesnt have anything on it, its just a chain. he then tells them that they have to find four charms, each one hidden and guarded by mythical creatures. he also gives them a book and an envelope sealed with a wax seal on the back and something stamped into it. Lizzie, Janie and Maria think its all a joke untill they read the letter and the book. thats when they have to try and find these charms. and the first 1 is earth. they search their nearest woods for clues and find themselves tangled up in much more than just branches.... Hope you like it. Please write me some feedback. Also, i need to ask you a question. you know in books when someone is speaking and then maybe someone interrupts them and there's like a long line like this - except longer? How do you do that. i asked my mum and dad but they didnt know. please write back. thnx.

Hi Millie You mustn't give too much away on-line you know - someone might pinch the idea! Anyway, I think it sounds a great opener and promise of a kind of treasure hunt. I hope they get in to lots of trouble. As for the long lines, that's something the printer does - I just use in my manuscripts the normal dash. If you separate it from the word and press return it should get longer than when in the middle of a word. Try it and see what I mean. Julia

Milliex wrote on 19 August 2007:

Hi Julia!!! Its me again!!! I took Your advice and I'm now going 2 sign up. Thnx. Also. I've started writing my book. I've been planning it out for a few days but i've now done the first 5 pages. Its called Charms and the first 1 is called The Earth Chapter. Its about 3 girls, Lizzie (Dizzy) Janie (Brainy) and Maria. I wont bore u with the details. Ok. Luv all ur books.

Hi Millie Good luck with Charms! Julia

Arnet wrote on 18 August 2007:

Hi Julia, I think I sat next to you on the train today - when I saw the manuscript with 'Julia Golding' on I knew I recognised the name, so just googled you and remembered that my friend had told me about one of your books recently. I look forward to checking it out for myself!

Hi Arnet Yes that was me on my way to the Edinburgh literary festival. I was checking the American edition of Gorgon - Connie and Col eat chips not crisps and put things in trash cans not bins... You should've said hello - I was very bored. Julia

spanna wrote on 18 August 2007:

hi, how do you know which ideas you wish to write as a book because I get loads of ideas of stories but I loose interest really quickly, Any advice?

Hi Spanna Are your ideas for plots or characters? Sometimes if a really strong character comes to mind it drives a book forward over the problem patches. Have a think about your main character for while and see if you are interested enough to stick with them for a whole book. Julia

meggie wrote on 18 August 2007:

did frank really exist. X

Hi Meggie Not exactly... but he's very real to me. Julia

Stephanie wrote on 18 August 2007:

Hi Julia I've not wrote in quite a while because I've been on holiday :-) I think that the FAQs are a brill idea. When you write, do you find it hard to keep your mind on the story you are writing? Like if you write Darcie Lock 2, will your mind be on Cat or Connie thinking of their next adventure? Stephanie X

Hi Stephanie Glad to hear you've had a good holiday. Only occasionally. Mostly I'm lost in the world so don't think about anything else. Julia

callie rose wrote on 17 August 2007:

r u doing any signings, readings etc in Cardiff - i've looked on the events page and it doesn't say anything about cardiff. i no loads of peeps who would cum we all love the cat books especially. ta X

Hi Callie Not at the moment but I'd love to come to Wales soon (I've been to Ireland, Scotland and England so it's the big gap!! Julia

holli wrote on 17 August 2007:

is there a darcie lock website?? i think all ur books r AMAZING.

Hi Holli Not yet - it would be fun, wouldn't it! Julia

meggie wrote on 17 August 2007:

did any of the characters in the cat books really exist??

Hi Meggie Yes, indeed - Sheridan and many of the theatre people (including Mrs Reid - a name I found in the theatre accounts). Many of the political/royal people mentioned. The headmaster of Westminister school. Chief McGillivray in the latest. Are you interested in a particular person? Look up Olaudah Equiano for example - he's great! Julia

lozzer wrote on 17 August 2007:

it is a nickname my real name is lozzertarienanea- kidding it's laurence. when will the cat website b out and wat will it b called? thanx

Hi Laurence ;) All to be decided - it's being developed by Egmont but I'll let you know as soon as I know! At the moment I'm working on a couple of fun things for Cat to do with you all on her pages. Julia

ash wrote on 17 August 2007:

when is the final book for the Companions Quartet coming out for London? is it already out? IM A BIG FAN! ash

Hi Ash I have my advance copy so any day now (officially September though) Julia