Meet Jenny Nimmo

Personal: Lives on a farm in Wales with her husband. Has three grown children.

Worst trouble you got into as a kid: "I got into a lot of trouble. Once I poured water in the cellar just to see where it was going, and it all got flooded. I would tell stories at night when we were supposed to be silent. I was so bad that I wrote a letter to the principal to apologize for all the trouble I caused. She forgave me."

Best birthday present: "After my father died, I had an uncle -- rather like Uncle Payton -- who came to live with us. He taught me to read. When I was 6 or 7 he gave me a little child's desk to write on. That desk seemed so important and grown-up."

First thing you remember writing: "About a boy locked in a tower with music coming down. I was about 6 or 7. I just realized that was probably where Lyell Bone came from."

Advice for young writers: "Never give up. I was told I would never be a writer, but I kept this secret ambition. You mustn't let people tell you you're not good enough. You know in your heart you will be."