What was your favourite book as a child?
Flat Stanley, definitely. And Noddy by Enid Blyton. I never read any of her others though. I had them, I just didn’t read them. It felt like books were invented for other people, not me. Films were my way in to storytelling, and theatre. Watching plays like Bouncers or Teachers by John Godber. Plays about normal, working class people. There’s no doubt those plays were a huge influence when writing Demolition Dad. There’s wonderful drama and comedy to be found in everyday life.
What made you want to work in care? Did you enjoy the job?
Yes. I enjoyed it massively, probably as I’m such a big kid! I fell into the job really. I needed work, and it was amazing, this idea of being almost “paid to play”. I could play football, climb trees and it was my job to do it. I feel absolutely blessed to have known the children I worked with. They had faced the most shocking adversity, but had more heart and spirit than any young people I’ve met before or since.
Why did you decide to stop?
It made me ill, sadly. I found I couldn’t leave it at work. I brought the kids’ problems home with me and in the end that sort of pressure was just too much to carry. I didn’t realise you can’t solve their problems, can’t make the abuse “unhappen”. All you can do is keep them safe and show them an alternative. I learnt that too late.
What led you to the idea of writing books?
It was really by reading Holes by Louis Sachar. When I got a job in a bookshop. Yeah, that book really changed everything. As a book for any ages, it’s perfection. If Demolition Dad is 10% of that quality, then I’ll be very proud.
Did you base your characters Billy and Daisy, in Saving Daisy, on real people?
They were definitely inspired by people I’d met. But I made a clear decision when I started that I didn’t want to base my characters on real kids too much. I did use a lot of my experiences though.
Is Daisy’s keyworker based on a real person?
Yes. When I was really ill, I had to go back and live in Hull with my folks. And, there was really only one psychologist in the whole of the city! I had to wait about six months and then I saw him quite regularly. His name is Jonny John-Kamen. You’ve read Saving Daisy so you know the chapter where Daisy first meets Ade. She’s on the floor having back convulsions and things because of her medication and that’s actually what happened to me. The medication I had, well it caused psychosis and convulsions and they hadn’t given me the right medication to counter it! Also, the part with the tapes is something Jonny got me to do. I kept playing them over and over. Saving Daisy is dedicated to him.
Did you set out with the idea that you wanted to tackle sensitive issues, like self-harm and war? How important do you think it is that teenagers are made aware of them?
Firstly, I hate it when people call them “issues” books! Every book has issues. Like, The Fault in Our Stars by John Green is about teens with terminal illness. Every book has issues. It’s not about that, it’s about telling a story. I didn’t set out to write about self-harm and war. I don’t plan my books. I get the characters and then stories that fit them.
Daisy had some really emotional chapters and, to be honest, none of your characters had an easy ride. Were there any parts that you found difficult to write?
I think the hardest and the one I enjoyed the most was the chapter in Being Billy where the twins were taken away. I remember when, in a care home, we looked after two sisters and their little brother. And the boy had a different dad. The dad came back into the picture and he adopted the boy. I just remember it being difficult for the girls but at the same time it gave him a chance. But watching them being separated was unbelievably tough.
Daisy’s favourite film is The Shawshank Redemption. A lot of people really want to know, is that your favourite film too?
Yes! I love it. If I’m channel hopping and that film is on, I HAVE to watch it to the end. I think it just adds to my feeling that you should write about what you’re passionate about and about what you know.
What can we expect from you in the future?
Well Demolition Dad has just come out, my first book for younger readers. I wanted to re-write Roald Dahl’s Danny, The Champion of the World. To write about a boy who thinks his dad is the greatest human being to walk the planet. It’s also allowed me to write about one of my guilty pleasures in life…wrestling! My dad used to tell me that no good would come from watching it on the telly…but I hope this proves him wrong. I’m really proud of the book. It’s been wonderful to write something where I can be a bit daft. Writing comedy is terrific fun.
Find out more about Phil Earle on his website and buy Demolition Dad at the Guardian bookshop.
Want to meet your favourite author? Join the site and have your dreams come true!
.png?w=600)
