Q&A with Catherine Coe, author of The Unicorns of Blossom Wood

Posted on 9 January 2017

Read our Q&A with Catherine Coe, author of The Unicorns of Blossom Wood

1. Why did you decide to write The Unicorns of Blossom Wood?

After The Owls of Blossom Wood, I wanted to bring some exciting new characters to the world of Blossom Wood – with lots of magic and sparkle. And I thought: what better way to do that than with unicorns?

2. Who is your favourite character and why?

This is a tough one – I can’t choose between the girls/unicorns – but my favourite animal character has to be Bobby. The badger is kind, unflappable, charming and (often unintentionally) funny. His funny phrases, such as ‘Thank chestnuts,’ always make me laugh!

3. What was the hardest thing about writing the series?

Ooh, good question. I think the trickiest thing was deciding what type of magical power each of the unicorns should have – I wanted to get them just right!

4. How unicorn obsessed are you?

Well, I am currently wearing unicorn socks and unicorn nail stickers, having just wrapped up my Christmas presents using unicorn Sellotape and my unicorn pen to write the tags. That’s how unicorn-obsessed I am!

5. What is your favourite thing about unicorns?

That’s easy – that they’re magical. You have to read all four books – especially the last one (Best Friends) to find out just how special their magic is!

6. Do you have a favourite fictional unicorn?

The unicorn from the film The Last Unicorn – a classic movie from the 1980s. I love how determined and loyal and selfless she is.

7. Where is your favourite place to write?

Strangely, not at my desk, as I get much too distracted by emails and the internet! I like to write at my dining table, which stands in front of my bookshelves. There, my ever-expanding book collection helps inspire and motivate me!

8. What’s your favourite thing about being an author?

The number one best thing has to be hearing that readers have enjoyed my books – if I can whisk someone off to a magical place through a story and tell a tale that they can’t put down, then that makes me very happy. Number two is probably being able to work in my pyjamas all day! (Not that I do this every day – promise!)

9. Which other writers inspire you? What’s your favourite genre to read?

This first question is very tough! There are too many writers to list here, since I’m also a children’s book editor and every single author I have worked with has inspired me. I am very lucky to have two amazing jobs!

I read lots of different genres but my favourite is probably magical realism (books set in the real world which contain a fantasy element). And it might sound strange but I’m a sucker for any book that makes me cry!

10. What other mythical creatures do you like or would like to write about?

I would love to write about goblins, mostly because I don’t think they’re as bad as people make them out to be! I’m also a huge fan of tiny characters – such as The Borrowers and Mrs Pepperpot – and I’d like to write a series about my own little creatures one day.

Catherine Coe’s new series The Unicorns of Blossom Wood and her previous series The Owls of Blossom Wood are out now! You can follow Catherine on Twitter @catherinecoe and @scholasticuk for the latest news!

Colour in a Unicorn Activity here!

Illustration © Renée Kurilla, 2017