Sheryl Webster
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After graduating with a degree in English and Psychology, Sheryl Webster worked as a primary school teacher before taking a career break to raise her young family. This gave her the opportunity to pursue her passion for writing. Sheryl lives in Liverpool with her husband and four young children. NOODLE’S KNITTING is her debut title for Little Tiger Press. |
Where did you get the idea for a knitting-obsessed mouse in NOODLE’S KNITTING? Are you a knitter yourself?
The idea just suddenly came to me. For some reason, I had thought of a mouse’s tail and how it reminded me of a long piece of spaghetti or noodles. This led me to think of a mouse with the name ‘Noodle’ who loves to knit, and the idea grew from there. My mum taught me to knit as a little girl, but I could only ever knit straight lines! Our little girl got a knitting set for Christmas, and to my shame I have still not done it with her. I got into a terrible tangle just trying to cast on! But my Nan was a fantastic knitter!
Knitting has seen a recent resurgence in popularity, why do you think this is?
I think the fact that a lot of film stars and celebrities have taken up knitting has made it quite a trendy thing to do. It has become recognised as a relaxing, creative hobby, and something that people of any age can take up, not just grannies!
You previously worked as a primary school teacher, but have you always harboured an ambition to be a writer?
Yes! Reading and creative writing was always my passion when teaching and my biggest focus with the children I taught. I’m a firm believer that reading is at the heart of all learning, so I used to try to instill a love of books in the children through reading them lots of stories. Many were ones that I had as a child; Enid Blyton stories in particular. I would always try to tie a story into most of the topics I taught, and if I couldn’t find one then I would make up my own. So it has always been in me…somewhere!
With four children under the age of eight, however do you find the time to write?
When I get an idea throughout the day I jot it down on a pad. Only
at nighttime, when the children are all tucked up in bed, do I then get a chance to shape those ideas into a story.
Where do you write?
On a pad of paper initially, which could be in any room of the house, or even in the car! Then the story is typed up on my laptop, usually in the living room or the kitchen, or if I really need peace and quiet, the office.
Do you road test your stories on your children before sending them to your agent or editor?
Yes – and on my poor, long-suffering husband! But I do have to bear in mind that the children are very biased – they love anything and everything that I write! But my husband Phil has been fantastic in giving me real, honest, constructive advice which every author needs!
What is the best thing about being a children’s author?
The best thing for me is being able to see my ideas, which have often stemmed from our own children, developed into a story. Seeing that story brought to life in illustrations and in the form of a real book is a fantastic feeling. And of course knowing how proud of me my husband and children are makes it very worthwhile. It’s also nice to think that one of my stories may help in some way to encourage a child to develop a love of books, or just make them giggle!
Do you have any advice for budding writers?
Practice, practice, practice! And patience…patience…patience! I am the most impatient person ever, and often want to send my agent a story as soon as it has leapt off my pad and onto the laptop. However, my best stories are the ones that I leave to develop and mull over. When you re-read an initial idea you can often see ways to improve the story. I also recommend trying to write in lots of different styles and lengths. Write about anything and everything that interests you – there is no right or wrong way – and this will help you find a style that suits you.
Sheryl Webster is the author of NOODLE’S KNITTING. 
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