Young Adult Author, Catherine Webb

Photo: http://www.atombooks.co.uk/webb.htm

Catherine Webb was only 14 when she wrote her first book. Now at 19, she has five books published, all are young adult novels. What's really special about her is not just how young she was when she wrote her first book, but also how untrained she was as a writer. In a live chat interview she did for bbc.co.uk's onion street, she was asked, "There are many books that help you write a book. Have you looked through any of those?" In reply, she told the interviewer, "To tell the truth, no. That all seems far too intellectual. . .My parents used to work in publishing so they told me some things, great for advice." Read it all here at onion street.

It inspires me to think about this 14-year-old girl who claims to be undisciplined and just did most of her writing during summer breaks, yet who has become a published author. If she can do it, can't we all?

If you'd like to learn more about Ms. Webb and her books, you can visit any of the following websites, or find even more using a web search with her name:

• nzgirl - Mirror Dreams by Catherine Webb
• Atom Books - Catherine Webb
• BBC Newsround