Oh boy. There's a stage in the writing of every book; the crossing of an invisible line that feels a lot like being at the top of a roller coaster. You've been chugging uphill for some time, methodical, determined, aware of each notch and crank in the climb, then suddenly things even out, you're able to take in the view, to see how far you've come, to enjoy being at the peak... And then, it happens. The downward slide. The rush. The exhilarating, heavenly, oxygen-robbing drop as your story pulls you behind it to the finishing line.

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Some questions from you: 

Is there a list of all the characters from The Forgotten Garden--a flow chart of sorts?

Lisa

There is not. But there definitely should be. Quite a few people have told me that they sketched family trees while they were reading THE FORGOTTEN GARDEN and it seems to me that it would be a good idea to put such a thing on this site. More on that anon.

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I would love to send The Forgotten Garden to a Spanish speaking friend. Is there a Spanish translation and where would I get it? Thanks!

Holly

The Spanish rights for THE FORGOTTEN GARDEN have been sold to Santillana/Suma who also published THE HOUSE AT RIVERTON as La Casa de Riverton. I'm not sure when it is scheduled for release but will let you know as soon as that changes. 

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Hallo, I'd like to know if the House at Riverton really exists, and if yes, where is it in England? I'd like to visit this place. Thanks for your answer.

L.

Riverton is a fictional house, but I'm so glad it felt real to you when you were reading the book. There's no shortage of fabulous manor houses open to visitors in England though, and I drew inspiration from a number of them when I was dreaming up Riverton. Have a look at the National Trust website for a list.

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Have you ever considered writing a book for children or teenagers?

Lynette

I'd love to write for children and young adults one day. I'm convinced that the books you read or have read to you as a child colonise parts of your brain and make you the person you become. I certainly see echoes of my earliest favourites (Enid Blyton, C.S Lewis, L.M.Montgomery, Frances Hodgson Burnett... and did I mention Enid Blyton?!) in the things I write and enjoy reading today (not to mention the things I think and dream about).

One of my sons is six years old and I read to him every night before bed (we're reading The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe at the moment); it's one my favourite times of the day. There's an extra layer of pleasure in speaking great words aloud and feeling the little body beside me tense and relax along with the story--just what writers hope to do to their readers!

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Why did you change the name of The Shifting Fog to The House at Riverton and when please? We are reading it at our U3A book broup this month and as it was my suggestion I am leading the discussion on 2nd of March. Thank you.

Maureen

The name change came about because some of my publishers were concerned that the word 'fog' might be off-putting for northern hemisphere readers. I'm from the antipodes so I tend to think of fog as romantic and mysterious. I gather, however, that it loses some of its dramatic appeal for people whose lives are frequently inconvenienced by it! I like both titles and didn't mind changing it. THE HOUSE AT RIVERTON is certainly more literal, and though I do like the idea of shifting fog as a metaphor for time and memory and age, houses are very important to me and to my books so it was fitting that it should feature in the title. 

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There's a slight ***SPOILER ALERT*** for the following question, so if you haven't read THE HOUSE AT RIVERTON  please blindfold yourself and hum while scrolling down...

In THE HOUSE AT RIVERTON, is there any significance in the wounded deer picture in Grace's Riverton room? You have her remember it so frequently that I wondered if she came to associate with something. Hannah's fate, perhaps?

Karen

Exactly. I'm so glad you noticed.

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Finally, if you live in London and visit the library, you may want to vote for THE FORGOTTEN GARDEN in the BILLY awards.