Tamsyn Murray’s book. ‘My So-called Afterlife’, is a book that I decided to read because I had met, and liked, Tamsyn. It’s about a murdered teenager doomed to hang out in the public toilet that was the scene of her death. Yes, that’s what I thought. But actually, it’s one of the funniest and most surprising and heartwarming books that I’ve read. Tamsyn in person in kind and witty and clever, so I shouldn’t really have been surprised that her book is much the same. Tamsyn has donated a copy of her book to the BBBB, and agreed to talk to me.

SB: How did you come to write fiction for children?

TM: It almost happened by accident – I was planning a short story about a ghost and then realised she was much younger than I’d thought; a stroppy teenager, in fact. Her story grew into My So-Called Afterlife and once I’d finished that, the idea for a childrens’ story popped into my head and it seemed like the most natural thing in the world to write that next.

SB: You write for children and for young adults. How does your approach differ for each group?

TM: I’m not sure that it does, massively. I usually start with a great main character and make sure they have a brilliant story to tell. Obviously, the subject matter differs between older and younger readers and the language is simpler but the quality of the writing required is just as high for both. Kids and teens have zero tolerance for sloppy writers!

SB: I’ve read young adult fiction for years and think there are some brilliant writers and books in there – Philip Pullman, Lian Hearn, Isabel Allende’s trilogy. Do you think there’s something about the audience that brings out the best in the writer?

TM: I think the best writers for children and young adults are the ones who remember what it’s like to be young – the tumultuous feelings, worries and enormous fun. You could say there’s more freedom in writing for the younger generation – maybe they aren’t quite as decided about what they do and don’t like so you can play with their perceptions more.

SB: What do you enjoy about writing?

TM: I love the fizzing feeling I get when I know I’ve got something right. That’s when the words flow onto the screen and before I know it, I’ve got a few thousand more pinned down. I also like it when things happen that I wasn’t expecting – the best characters catch you by surprise.

SB: Which books or writers make you laugh?

TM: Louise Rennison’s books are laugh out loud funny, as are Terry Pratchett’s. Neil Gaiman takes my breath away with his brilliance, although I’d probably say he makes me smile rather than giggle. And Jill Mansell writes about characters I want to be friends with because they’re so sharp and witty.

SB: Do you have books or writers who you go to when you need confort/safety?

TM: Of course! Robin McKinley weaves such spellbinding tales that I can lose myself very easily in her books. My number one comfort read, however, is Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett, because it never lets me down when I need a grin.

SB: What’s your desert island book?

TM: No one’s ever asked me that before! There are so many amazing books I could choose but I think I might have to cheat and say a moleskine so I could create my own stories. That way, I’d always have something to read and edit

SB: Thanks, Tamsyn!

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Tamsyn’s website is here, and it’s highly recommended.