If I learned anything in this life, I've learned that you can't cling on.

A notion for a story is for me a confluence of real events, historical perhaps, or from my own memory to create an exciting fusion.

Being his real brother I could feel I live in his shadows, but I never have and I do not now. I live in his glow.

Elephants are my favourite creatures and have been since I was a boy and my mother read Kipling's The Elephant's Child to me. It was loving elephants so much that made we want to write my own story with an elephant at the centre and its bond with a child.

Encouraging young people to believe in themselves and find their own voice whether it's through writing, drama or art is so important in giving young people a sense of self-worth.

It is the child's understanding that teaches the adults the way of the future. They're still doing it today with modern technology.

I fill up the well of stories in my head - without ever knowing I'm doing it.