Background Information
In this programme, Malorie shares two more of her favourite stories. Whilst telling us about them, she divulges how she works as a writer and passes on words of advice and encouragement to would-be writers.
Books featured:
Pig-Heart Boy
The idea for this novel came from a newspaper report. Malorie's level of research is particularly apparent in this book, where the main character Cameron is suffering from heart disease. The story develops as he and his family decide with the surgeon whether he should undergo xenotransplantation (the transplantation of living cells, tissues and organs from one species to another) and to be given the heart of a pig. Malorie likes the central character of Cameron because although faced with traumas, dilemmas and disappointments, he learns to get on with his life as best he can.
This book became even more popular when it was televised as a children's serial and Malorie won a BAFTA for best children's drama.
Hacker
In this exciting thriller, Malorie uses her computer literacy to inform the plot as she reveals how technology can be used and abused. Vicky and Gib's dad is accused of stealing over £100,000 from the bank where he works. Vicky is determined to find the real thief, but that means she must hack into the computer system herself and start trying to solve the puzzle.
Malorie Blackman on getting ideas
- ideas can come from anywhere and everywhere
- read newspapers
- read books for pleasure and to gather ideas
- be a good observer - watch people: what they look like, what they say and how they behave
- eavesdrop on people's conversations - they might give you ideas for a plot or character
- keep a notebook or diary and jot down ideas as well as your personal feelings to use in the future
Researching a story
- use the internet - a brilliant source of information at your fingertips
- talk to people who know about the subject
- visit people and places to give you first-hand experiences which inform and give credibility to characters, settings and plot
What readers think about Malorie Blackman's books
- 'Malorie makes you want to read on'
- 'she builds up the tension'
- 'her books are about black children and there aren't many books like that'
- 'she describes the characters and their feelings really well so they get into you and you know who they are'
- 'I like the character of Cameron because: he's brave; he goes through a trauma; he's betrayed by his best friend'
Malorie's top tips for writers
- You can't write if you don't read!
- Read as much as you can each week
- Keep a diary
- End chapters on cliffhangers to make your readers keep reading
- Don't give up!
