Henry Chancellor is the author of the highly acclaimed Colditz: The Definitive History and James Bond: The Man and His World—The Official Companion to Ian Fleming’s Creation. He has made many documentaries for television, including Escape from Colditz which won sweeping praise and has been shown all over the world. He lives in England with his wife and children.
Q & A with Henry Chancellor
1. What inspired you to write Tom Scatterhorn?
I have always loved creepy old museums, particularly collections of strange objects. And I have always wanted to be a time-traveller. And I have always wanted to go to an ice fair, take part in a tiger hunt, collect rare insects, meet extraordinary people….so it’s a whole heap of things that inspired me to write this book.
2. Describe it in two lines.
Its about a boy who goes to spend the Christmas holidays in a tumbledown museum, and discovers there is much, much more to it than meets the eye..
3. How long did it take you to write them?
The first book took a lot of thinking about and four months to write. Then I revised it many times.
4. What do you think people will say about Tom Scatterhorn?
I have no idea. But I hope they will like it and want to read more…
5. Are you working on something else at the moment?
The second and third books of the series.
6. What is your favourite food?
Roast chicken.
7. What makes you laugh out loud?
Anything witty.
8. What is the one luxury item you would take with you to a Desert Island?
A box of matches. I have tried rubbing sticks together and it never works.
9. What is your most treasured memory?
Probably being on holiday somewhere hot with my family.
10. What is your weakness?
I drink too much tea.
11. What is the worst/most unusual job you have ever done?
I once worked in a factory making cardboard. It was very, very boring.
12. Who is the person you most admire?
It changes all the time. Last week it was Homer Simpson. This week it’s William Blake.
13. What is your most embarrassing moment?
There are far, far too many to mention.
14. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?
Life is not a rehearsal. Enjoy it while you can.
15. What is the best piece of advice you could give someone?
Never think you can’t do anything.
16. Favourite holiday destination?
Norfolk - when the sun shines. Greece when it doesn’t.
17. Most treasured possession?
A small blue bottle containing a strange, colourless liquid, that gives off a very unusual smell….only joking. Its probably something very boring like my ventolin inhaler.
18. Where are you happiest?
Anywhere where I think I have done something good.
19. Favourite biscuit?
Ginger crunch.
20. Pet hates?
Snakes. And Noddy.
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