Q&A with Ele Fountain

I am so excited to share a Q&A with Ele Fountain ahead of her October performance with The Children’s Bookshow in Ipswich! I am hoping to be in the audience that day!

What inspires your writing?  In thinking about Wild but also your other titles- was there something that sparked each book?

I write adventures stories. I love plotting twists and turns andbuilding tension page by page. At the heart of each adventure lies a subject that has shocked or moved me in some way.Stories can be a safe space to explore big subjects – such as caring for our planet. They give me, and hopefully my readers, a chance to see things differently and decide how to feel about them.

Have you always felt a connection to nature and protecting the environment?

I’ve always liked the saying: there’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing. I prefer to be outside rather than inside, in any weather. But I think we all feel a connection to nature, whether we realise it or not. In towns and cities, parks are one of the few places with something foreveryone: playgrounds, grass for kicking a ball around, community gardening areas, cycle paths. We’re all drawn to nature in different ways and it’s something we can share, however young or old. We have an instinct to protect the things we care about, especially when they are irreplaceable, like the rainforest at the heart of Wild.

What small tips would you suggest young readers do to play their part in protecting our world?

You are never too young to make a difference. The small actions of many can be more effective than a few promises made by those in power. Just by turning off your light or walking to school, you will be playing your part. If you want to do more, then organising a bake sale or sponsored event can be a great way to raise money for charities and organisations that protect our wild spaces. 

Do you take your time when writing a first draft or is it a furious scribble?

I find a steady pace impossible when writing. There are sections of every story that seem to flow with almost magical ease, resulting in furious scribble (or keyboard tapping), and sections where I realise small changes to the plot will improve the story or make it more exciting. These chapters always take the longest to write but are the most satisfying when everything comes together.

How do you find the editing process?

Editors help you to see your work differently. When you’re writing, you are ‘inside’ the story, sharing events with your characters. Editing encourages you to step outside and see what might need trimming or expanding, or whether you’ve said it’s Tuesday, when actually it’s clearly Wednesday!

Was there anything fascinating that you have learned in your research for Wild?

I’ve learnt so many fascinating and often slightly random things when researching my stories. Wild was especially fun because rainforests are home to hundreds of unusual animals and plants, many of which exist nowhere else in the world. One of my favourites is the sloth. They move so slowly that moss and algae grow on their fur, and it takes them a wholemonth to digest a single meal. The perfect rejection of our fast-paced world.

Have you started writing anything new?

At the moment I’m working on something with a historical feel, which I’m very excited about!

What’s your favourite thing about performing live with The Children’s Bookshow?  / How do you find performing to a live audience?

The Children’s Bookshow team works tirelessly to inspire children with a love of reading – something I feel passionately about. Performing for school children is an opportunity to bring your book to life and for readers to ask you questions too. The theatre venue creates such a buzz. Children from different schools see that they’re all having fun, and it’s all about books. That reading is for pleasure, and it’s for everyone.

This link will show just what an exciting day is planned with Ele!

https://thechildrensbookshow.com/performances/autumn-performances-2024/ele-fountain-performance