Q&A with Jacqueline Wilson, Author of Hetty Feather

What inspired you to write Hetty Feather?

I became involved with the Foundling Museum in London and the Director asked me if I’d like to write a story about a foundling child. I thought this was a brilliant idea!

Hetty Feather is now a hit West End show and has been adapted for CBBC, did you envisage how successful it was going to be when you were writing her story?

I never dreamt that Hetty would be a big success! I just knew I had to write her story. I don’t think I’ve ever enjoyed writing a novel so much. I didn’t even think about the possibility of adaptations. The stage version of Hetty is quite magical – and I’m loving watching the television series too. This is definitely a very special time for Hetty. My fifth book about her, Little Stars, was published in October.

Why do you think your audience has responded so well to her?

I think it’s because it’s such an emotional story – you laugh and you cry and get totally involved.

The stage show uses songs, circus tricks and aerial skills, what do you think this adds to the story?

I think it makes the stage show particularly exciting, with a whole new dimension. The first time I saw the show I was totally blown away.

Your books are usually set firmly in the present, but you also published Opal Plumstead in 2014, about a 14-year old factory worker who becomes involved in the suffragette movement just before World War One. What has inspired you to want to explore such a different time period?

I thought these were interesting times – and I wanted to show modern girls that they’re lucky to have a good education and the chance to vote! The story has a bitter-sweet ending, but it’s shown a lot of my readers that the First World War had a devastating effect on many British families.

You have recently published three new books, The Butterfly Club, Katy and Little Stars. Can you tell us a little bit about them?

The Butterfly Club is about seven year old triplets. It’s a story about starting in the Juniors, learning to stand on your own two feet, and making friends with your number one enemy. You also learn quite a lot about butterflies!

Katy is a modern reworking of the Victorian classic What Katy Did. My Katy is a naughty tomboy, an imaginative and impulsive heroine. She has a terrible accident, just like the Katy in the original book, but then I try to show what it’s really like to have a serious spinal injury. There isn’t a fairy tale solution for my Katy – but I promise my book has a happy ending.

Little Stars is the fifth book about Hetty Feather. She is now sixteen, and a Music Hall star with her younger friend Diamond. We meet up with many characters from the previous books – and Hetty becomes romantically involved!

You’ve written 103 books so far – what do you do to stay relevant?

I still meet many children at events, and receive hundreds of letters and emails. I hope I keep in touch. I’m still getting lots of ideas for future books.

With the advent of the internet and video games, have you had to adapt your writing style to draw your readers in more?

I don’t think I have. I’ve always tried to make my stories immediately involving, with interesting lively characters – and it helps that my books look so colourful and attractive with Nick Sharratt’s distinctive illustrations.

What projects have you got coming up?

I shall be very happily going to many performances of Hetty Feather on the stage! I’ll also be going to the set of the television Hetty Feather to meet the cast currently filming the second series. I’m the Chancellor of Roehampton University so I’ll be meeting new students and presiding over ceremonies. I’m a Patron of Battersea Dogs and Cats Home so I’ll be working with their lovely team, even judging doggy fancy dress on special fun days. I’ll be answering all my letters and emails … and hopefully starting a brand new novel!

Hetty Feather tours to the Theatre Royal Bath from Tuesday 19th to Sunday 24th January as part of nationwide UK tour.