Rachel Burrows
Rachel is a teacher who lives in Wiltshire, though she and her stories grew up in Wales. She works in the library of a special school where she’s reputed to have hair made of library book pages! Before training to become a teacher, she worked as a biologist, chasing mosquitoes around Tanzania and London. Her writing for children features in The Dirigible Balloon, Sky Surfing, The Toy, TygerTyger and Northern Gravy. If you live in the Southwest, you might sometimes hear her on BBC Radio Upload.
What made you enter the Cheshire Novel Prize Kids?
I entered last year with picture books and got fantastically useful feedback, especially from the kids. There were things I hadn’t even considered, summed up so succinctly which I now refer to constantly – and comments such as ‘I wouldn’t be surprised if this person is published one day,’ that have driven me forward.
What did it feel like when you were LL and then SL?
I don’t often use my phone at work, but I kept on sneaking looks at the snippets. I wasn’t expecting to be there, but there’s always enough hope to leave you disappointed when you aren’t! On Thursday after four days of heartsink, I decided not to look on Friday – but then caught sight of it much later as I was scrolling! I was absolutely elated! It’s only my writer friends who really get it though – and there was much whooping within the crit group! I thought it would stop there. I practised receiving the ‘unfortunately’ news, so when Sara phoned, I was braced! I still can’t believe it. If it ends here, then I will still be utterly proud and delighted.
What was the reaction from those around you/family and friends?
Most of my family have no idea what I write. That is my choice! It’s hard for them to react to something they have no involvement in. But when they could see my joy at the shortlisting – they were thrilled. My husband works in numbers – and the 9 out of 1000 did it!
My sister is one of my greatest fans! She has a theatre background and understands what I am trying to achieve – and she understands the disappointed of rejection, and elation of acceptance! She was one of my beta readers.
My crit group were the most excited! It’s been a great year for all of us with a first publication, a major competition placing and representation, travel awards and this! We’ve all been giddy!
How did you come up with the idea for your book?
It was actually an exercise. I won a picture book mentorship with Amy Sparkes. With two weeks of the six months left, she urged me (as she had been for 5 and a half months!) to write a chapter book. She told me to come up with some ideas that would form a series. I chose wizards – because everyone likes magic, but then went more personal for the mythical-beast healer. I always wanted to be a vet – from aged 4 onwards and was devastated when I couldn’t be. This was a chance to live my dreams!
The chapter book morphed then into an early middle grade!
What’s it about?
Gethyn is a young wizard who lives with his Grandfather, the greatest mythical-beast healer in Landwest. Just before the great dragon migration is about to take place, Grandad mysteriously fades away, leaving Gethyn all alone and not yet allowed to perform magic or healing. With his best friend Cerys, he must secretly find out what is harming the dragons and put a stop to it, before it’s too late.
What’s your writing routine?
I work full-time and write in the evenings from about 7.30 to 9 and more at the weekend. I walk my dog for several hours a day and this is when I plan and ‘take my characters for a walk’.
What’s next for you?
I think it depends on this! I love writing poetry for children and adults, and this is getting more and more noticed. I also have plenty of new ideas for new adventures for Gethyn and Cerys. I would love to write a verse novel.
What are your favourite children’s books and why?
That’s an impossible question! I love the picture books of Jon Klassen and Wolf Erlbruch. I love the dark side of them, the humour and the gasps! The Shark Caller by Zillah Bethall, October, October by Katya Balen, The House With Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson and the Final Year by Matt Goodfellow are some of my favourite middle grade. All of these authors write so poetically and tell massive stories about the joy and pain of real relationships. They have made me weep, laugh and pick up a pen. Zillah Bethall has read some of my short stories and poetry and was so kind with her feedback, and so encouraging – she is a bit of a hero for me. I think Sarah Crossnan’s YA verse novels are stunning.
Any tips for writers intending on entering the competition?
Read your work out to an imaginary (or real) class of kids, edit accordingly and press send! Just do it.