Stella Benson is a fellow writer, based in Cornwall. Unlike
me, she's also a talented artist who has worked on many prestigious animated
films including 'The Snowman & The Snowdog' a sequel to the 'The
Snowman', to be screened on Channel 4 this Christmas.
In 2011 Stella combined her love of storytelling,
illustration and design to create her first book 'Sparkle Puss: The Cornish Chocolate Apothecary'.
Her latest book 'Sparkle
Puss: The Search For The Jaguar Bean', is launched on 3rd
of November 2012. I caught up with
her ahead of a book-signing tour around the Far West.
We can skip the 'dogs or cats' question, but what was it that gave you the inspiration for a cat's tale?
I have always enjoyed writing about my
daily observations especially when travelling. In 2006 I acquired a kitten. I had always wanted two kittens
that I could call either Galaxy & Mars or Frankincense & Myrrh. I named
the kitten Frankincense and abbreviated it to Insie. Insie is a striking cat
and with her amusing and intelligent nature, she soon started to inspire me to
draw and write about her. I
initially started e-mailing one of my sisters, Susie, keeping her updated with
‘the Insie antics’. With the
drawings developing and the Insie antics growing, it seemed to be a natural progression
to put it into a story. I make jewellery using glitter and rhinestones and
became aware that Insie started to sparkle with the glitter that she was
inadvertently picking up in her fur.
In 2007 the story of ‘Sparkle Puss’ began.
Which came first - the cat or the chocolate?
I suppose the chocolate came first, although I had been wanting a cat for ages. However my study of and interest in cacao and good quality and ethical chocolate really came first.
Your beautiful illustrations have such a vibrancy about them, have you considered creating animations of your books?
Thank you, yes I have been thinking about animating my
books. I have contact with some of the very best animators, and background
artists, etc. to enable the production of
what could be a really good film. It is only the funding I'm lacking as
yet!
Are you conscious of
wanting to convey an environmental message in your books?
The environmental aspect is very important to me. I'm
passionate about organic production, and fair trading where possible.
What does the future
hold for Sparkle Puss?
I can not know exactly, I have a third story outlined and I
hope I will be able to produce a third book in the series. I really have to
thank the people who bought the first book as the sales have financed the
second book. At the moment that is how I am progressing, taking each day as it
comes. Ideally I would like to find a publisher.
What was your journey
from inspirations to the printed page?
It took over 4 years to produce the first book. Having not
been through the process before I had to learn as I was going along. The second
book was much quicker to produce as the story was written a few years
previously and I had a much better idea of how to put the book together.
What do you wish
you'd known when you first started writing?
I can't think of anything in particular, it's all hard work,
never easy!
Do you wear different
hats as a writer and an illustrator?
Not really, although it does require using different parts
of the brain and I am very aware of that, that they require two very different
applications. However perhaps my writing is able to express more about the
environmental aspect. And my truffles are created with organic
ingredients.
Where can we find out
more about your books - and the chocolate of course!
More information can be found on www.sparklepuss.co.uk.
My books are
available from The Edge Of The World Book Shop, Penzance.
And available to order from all good book shops, and from Amazon:
