Rebecca Lisle
My name is Rebecca Lisle and I'm a writer. I have had 20 children's books published. I also like drawing and have illustrated some of my books. When I'm not writing I paint peculiar pictures of dogs. I live in Bristol and enjoy giving workshops and author visits in the South West.
I was born in Leeds and have always been very proud of my Yorkshire roots. My parents were born there too, and their parents: perhaps this is why I can cook Yorkshire puddings.
Boh my parents were artists. My father was the principal of the Jacob Kramer College of Art. He only had one eye so his students called him Popeye. My mother studied art too and still paints and draws. My parents always encouraged me and my brother and sister to be creative and we were. My sister is a painter and my brother does arty things with computers.
I went to School in Leeds, then studied botany at Newcastle University and one year at Oxford University. I had friends who had gone out to New York and they were having such a good time, I went out and joined them. I lived on Manhattan for a year and a half. Great fun.
Back in England, I did lots of jobs - waitressing, looking after small children, shop assistant, secretary, etc, but mainly I taught biology. I always taught part-time so that I could spend time writing because I dreamed of becoming a 'real' writer. By 'real' I mean published.
My first publication was a short story in a magazine. Seeing my name in print made me deliriously happy. I can honestly say it was one of the greatest moments of my life. If I saw someone with a copy of the magazine I wanted to rush up to them and, well, I don't know, just stand there and grin, I think.
I'm married with three teenage sons. My boys drive me mad. And make me laugh. They were the inspiration for many stories, particularily THE DOG IN THE DIAMOND COLLAR and THE BOY IN THE BIG BLACK BOX. They all play musical instruments - piano, guitar, drums and saxophone. Usually different tunes in different rooms, but always LOUD.
The other inspiration in all my books, just about, was Nike, our dog. Sadly Nike died last year. He did not do the dishes like Metal Mutt, worst luck.
After Nike died I started painting pictures of dogs in all different colours.
I was born in Leeds and have always been very proud of my Yorkshire roots. My parents were born there too, and their parents: perhaps this is why I can cook Yorkshire puddings.
Boh my parents were artists. My father was the principal of the Jacob Kramer College of Art. He only had one eye so his students called him Popeye. My mother studied art too and still paints and draws. My parents always encouraged me and my brother and sister to be creative and we were. My sister is a painter and my brother does arty things with computers.
I went to School in Leeds, then studied botany at Newcastle University and one year at Oxford University. I had friends who had gone out to New York and they were having such a good time, I went out and joined them. I lived on Manhattan for a year and a half. Great fun.
Back in England, I did lots of jobs - waitressing, looking after small children, shop assistant, secretary, etc, but mainly I taught biology. I always taught part-time so that I could spend time writing because I dreamed of becoming a 'real' writer. By 'real' I mean published.
My first publication was a short story in a magazine. Seeing my name in print made me deliriously happy. I can honestly say it was one of the greatest moments of my life. If I saw someone with a copy of the magazine I wanted to rush up to them and, well, I don't know, just stand there and grin, I think.
I'm married with three teenage sons. My boys drive me mad. And make me laugh. They were the inspiration for many stories, particularily THE DOG IN THE DIAMOND COLLAR and THE BOY IN THE BIG BLACK BOX. They all play musical instruments - piano, guitar, drums and saxophone. Usually different tunes in different rooms, but always LOUD.
The other inspiration in all my books, just about, was Nike, our dog. Sadly Nike died last year. He did not do the dishes like Metal Mutt, worst luck.
After Nike died I started painting pictures of dogs in all different colours.
