Writing's just half the story

I've never been one to sit behind a desk for days on end. As a medical negligence lawyer I was always out there talking to groups of doctors, helping Grays Inn train their barristers, or speaking at conferences, and in that sense, not much has changed about me since I've become a writer.

As a children's writer I have learned that there is great fun to be had dressing up as a witch, visiting a junior school, reading my story to lots of little children (in the presence of lots of supportive teachers – essential), and then getting them thinking about being writers themselves.

Small children have such confidence in their ability to do anything. Invariably when I ask them who wants to be a writer, every hand shoots up. They know all about it – I'm usually told you need pencils, paper, a good imagination (always worth an extra point), an illustrator, and recently I was told I needed an "editator" too. The more creative work I can give them during our workshop sessions the more they love it – and the more I love it.

Children's departments of bookshops are also very much part of the job. I've never been a hard seller, and I don't like direct selling to children, so I try not to fret about who buys and who doesn't, and just enjoy reading to the children who'd like a story. Parents tend to be grateful for a moment of quiet, and on a few occasions I've found myself reading to the attentive mums and dads as child goes off into a daydream.

Children's specialists in the Borders' stores I visit also make great listeners, and are worth their weight in gold in terms of book promotion.

Denise, at my local Newbury store, knows all there is to know about children's books (and parents' buying habits). During the publication process of my first book, Angel Seeds, she acted as adviser, reviewer and marketing manager for me. With my latest, The Everyday Witch, she even brought in her own cauldron from home to complete our coven set-up for the signing.

Tori at Bristol spent a whole day in the kids' department making Jack O'Lanterns on her day off to ensure that my reading took place in a suitably Halloweeny setting.

I'm so grateful for their support. Then comes the bliss of the contrast of 'back to normal' days in Starbucks, writing in between school runs, with laptop, writing buddy, extra hot latte, and with only my own imagination and a blank screen, and very occasionally my lovely "editator" Ele on the mobile phone giving me words of encouragement.

Are you a budding children's writer? Read the full interview with Liz Martinez for tips and advice on starting out.

The Everyday Witch (Bloomsbury) is a fantastically warm, witty rhyming text that ever-so-gently reminds us to challenge stereotypes (even if they do steal your cat).

Buy a copy of Liz Martinez' The Everyday Witch.