This month we got to chat to the brilliant non-fiction writer, Niamh Garvey.
TPP: What inspired you to write Being Autistic?
NG: A lot of people asked me to recommend a kids’ book explaining what it means to be autistic, but I couldn’t find one. So, I wrote one myself!
TPP: Do you think that everyone, whether or not they are autistic, needs to understand what it means to be autistic and neurodivergent?
NG: Absolutely! The more that people understand autism, the more likely they are to make the small changes that help autistic people to feel safe and included. Understanding increases kindness and respect.
TPP: Was it important for you to make Being Autistic a very visual book? The illustrations are as much a part of the book as the text.
NG: Yes! From the moment I had the idea for this book, I wanted to use illustrations to add fun and silliness, as well making it easier for visual learners to enjoy.
TPP: How long have you been writing?
NG: I began writing about ten years ago as a hobby and became a professional writer three years ago.
TPP: Why did you want to become a writer?
NG: Writing allows me to feel creative and to focus on topics I love.
TPP: Can you remember the first book you ever read and loved?
NG: My dad was a writer, and we always had books in the house, so I grew up loving books. They were a big part of my daily life. As a toddler, I loved Jill Murphy’s books about the Large family. They are about a family of elephants, and I remember reading them and laughing out loud. The first books I remember falling in love with were Enid Blyton’s The Faraway Tree series. My teacher read one to us in first class and I was enthralled by the magic and adventure of it.
TPP: Who are your favourite authors?
NG: I have so many! Some of my favourite middle grade kids’ books at the moment are Kevin Moran’s The Doomsday Club, Eve McDonnell’s The Last Boy, Leona Forde’s Milly McCarthy series and Sinéad O’Hart’s The Silver Road.
TPP: What would you be if you weren’t an author?
NG: I worked as a nurse for about 12 years but had to give it up as I developed very bad arthritis six years ago. Nowadays, I’d love to be a librarian, working with books all day long!
TPP: What is your favourite book of all time?
NG: Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice! I reread it whenever I feel a bit stressed or sad, and it always makes me feel safe and cosy. I listen to an audiobook of it every night to help me sleep.
TPP: Aside from reading and writing, do you have any hobbies?
NG: I love being outside in nature, so I love going for walks, especially on beaches or in forests. I also love gardening, swimming, and watching TV shows about house design.
TPP: What is your favourite part about being an author?
NG: When I’m writing, I’m fully focused on the words and the topic, and therefore I can forget about everything else. This makes me feel full of energy and excitement. I also love hearing from people who enjoyed my books – that always make me smile.
TPP: What is your number one tip for aspiring writers?
NG: The first step is to learn as much as you can about the topic you want to write about. I keep notebooks about these topics, and then I make mind-maps to figure out the structure and chapters.
