Ivan The Terrible by Anne Fine

Ivan the Terrible by Anne Fine

By Jane Gallagher

Author Anne Fine has written numerous books for all ages.
However, it is through her work as a children’s novelist that she has won the most recognition.
Her children’s story, Madame Doubtfire was made into a film with Hollywood actor, Robin Williams, between 2001 and 2003 she was appointed the Children’s Laureate and she has won many prizes for fiction.

But not only does Anne write for children she writes books for every age from the large picture book stories through to tales for younger readers under the age of 12 and older children’s fiction too.
This month our children’s Book of the Month is Ivan the Terrible is aimed at the 5-8-year-old reader.
But there is nothing childish about this tale as Anne explains.

Jane: Tell us about Ivan the Terrible.
Anne: Ivan doesn't speak English which is tough on your first day at a new school. So Boris is roped in to translate for him. But then the new boy starts threatening to make slaves out of all his schoolmates. When the teachers ask Ivan questions in English and Boris translates for him he comes up with all kinds of dreadful responses. At first Boris makes Ivan’s answers up so that the teachers won’t be offended but then his patience starts to run thin and Boris realizes that Ivan knows more than he is letting on.

Jane: Where did the idea come from?
Anne: I was reading a serious news magazine which reported how translators would often find themselves in a muddle during the Cold War and they would invent answers. I thought it would be a good idea for a book. So in a way Ivan the Terrible is a political novel even though it is a children’s book.
And that is how I get my ideas, from all around. I wrote The Book of the Banshee when I was going through a terrible time with my teenage daughters.
Ideas are all around. When an idea comes to me I think about it for a while and usually by the time I come to write I will know whether it’s a children’s book or a grown-up book.

Jane: How did you become a writer?
Anne: I loved to read but one year when I was living in Scotland I got snowed in. I had a young baby and couldn’t make it to the library. I thought I’d have a go at writing the kind of books I’d like to read. And I haven’t stopped since.

Who were your favourite authors when you were a child?
Anne: I loved Enid Blyton, Richmal Crompton and Anthony Buckeridge.

Which of your own books is your favourite?
Anne: I love Round Behind The Ice house about twins, a boy and a girl. Other people seem to like Flour Babies best.

Jane: How do you write a book?
Anne: When I am working on a book I have a regular routine. I will get up early and go downstairs and make myself a large pot of builder’s tea which I bring back to bed with me. Then I get old scraps of paper and start writing notes on them with pencil. I tend to work like this for an hour or so. The bed will be full of pencil marks and bits of rubber shavings where I have rubbed out which means I have to change the sheets frequently. Luckily my partner is used to me working life this. Then I will get up, deal with any emails and start typing up the notes. I work like this until I am finished.

Jane: What advice would you give children who want to be writers when they grow up?
Anne: Make sure you read as much as you can and think about why you like some stories but not others. That will help you become a better writer.

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