Family, friendship and a mystery

BOY UNDERWATER (HarperCollins Children's Books) is ADAM BARON's first children's novel and is a thoughtful, compelling and often funny story about families, friendship and mental health. We asked Adam Baron to tell us more about it.

Cymbeline Igloo doesn't know how to swim because his mother has never, ever taken him swimming. Then his class begins swimming lessons where Cymbeline pretends he can swim. Although he is rescued from the water, the incident sparks a reaction from his mother that begins to tear Cymbeline's life apart. With the help of his friends - and the class bully - Cymbeline begins to unravel the mystery about his past. What our reviewer says: 'Cymbeline is a wonderful character with a unique voice which captures both the naivety of a nine year old and the knack they have of sometimes seeing things with a blinding simplicity which eludes adults completely. As he uncovers the many secrets that those around him having been hiding - from him and from each other - a story of family tragedy and heart-break unfolds, allowing a measure of healing and reconciliation to take place. The author, however, balances scenes of great poignancy with those of real humour, making the story a pleasure to read.' Sue Wilsher, teacher. Author ADAM BARON told us more about his writing, being an author and BOY UNDERWATER: Q: Are you a full-time writer or do you have a 'day job'? A: It's about half and half - I'm an Associate Professor of Creative Writing at Kingston University. Q: What brought you into writing for children? What kind of books did you enjoy as a child and do you have a favourite contemporary children's writer? A: After the launch of Blackheath, my latest novel for adults, my children ordered me to write a book for them. I seized on the idea as children today seem to be such avid, passionate readers. The first books I loved were the Noggin the Nog books by Oliver Postgate. Narnia captivated me, as did the Viking novels of Henry Treece, which are still great. As for today's books, we're currently having fun with Gregor The Overlander by Susan Collins, which is making car journey's a breeze. Q: How did your idea for Boy Underwater, about a boy, his mother, and a family secret, develop? A: Cymbeline just burst into my head and demanded I tell his story! In some ways it's a fantasy. I have five brothers and two sisters and would have loved the one-on-one time Cymbeline gets with his mother. Once in the story I unpicked it to discover its secrets. I didn't know them beforehand. Q: Cymbeline narrates the novel, was it difficult to develop his voice, and a character who makes the reader both laugh and cry? Where did his name, Cymbeline Igloo, come from? A: Names are magic - it just leaped into my mind with his voice. You can't make names up - characters have them and if the name is wrong, so is the character. The voice was just there. I teach Creative Writing but voice is the one thing that you can't really learn as a 'skill'. Q: How hard was it to unpick the mystery around Cymbeline and the fact that he has never been swimming, without giving away too much before the end? A: Well, I just had to stick to his point of view, revealing nothing he doesn't know. Good stories are like giant dams: you have to hold back the pressure and not let it all flood out until the very end. Q: The families you explore are not 'traditional' two-parent families, why was it important for you to develop this theme? A: Because I know how lucky I am. I grew up in a stable, loving family and have one myself. I know children who do not have this and I wanted to show them that there is a world of community and love surrounding them, even if it doesn't quite look like other people's. Q: As well as families, friendship is at the heart of the story when Cymbeline's new - and old - friends help him to solve part of the mystery. How did his group of friends develop? A: The characters surrounding Cymbeline all offer me the chance to develop his character. They seemed to populate his world very easily. I'm surrounded by kids this age because I have three and I coach my daughters' school football teams (my son plays rugby now and thinks football is rubbish). It's like being given a free source of creative energy. Q: You mention art and some famous paintings through the story, is that an interest of yours? Would you like children to go and explore this some more having read your book? A: I really would. I love nothing more than walking through galleries. The Picasso at Tate Modern is incredible. Paintings draw you in, make you wonder, as good stories should. And there is no 'answer' to them, they identify you personally as a human being. Q: You said you have written the book for your children - did they enjoy it? Are you planning to write other books for children? A: Yes, they tell me they did enjoy it - but they want pudding, right? I'm writing two more novels for children (at least). Cymbeline may return... Q: Where do you write and how does your writing day go? A: I have to trick myself into it. My mind makes lots of excuses for me not to write. I work in cafes, home, libraries. Q: What was the best tip you were given about writing for children? A: No one gave me any! I just launched in and that's the best advice I could give. Be energetic. Q: What are the best and worst things about being an author? A: No one believes this but I'm shy. It's hard to go out and about and meet people. When a story seems to be using you as a conduit it's the most exhilarating feeling in the world. Until you get stuck... Q: What are your favourite escapes from writing? A: I don't want to escape from it. Running is great though as it frees up blockages and gets things moving again. BOY UNDERWATER by Adam Baron out now in paperback (6.99, HarperCollins Children's Books)