If you weren't a children's book writer what would you like to be?

I've always thought I'd like to be
A fearless trekker wandering free
With countries to explore.
I'd travel far in foreign lands
Shake famous people by the hand
In Timbuktu and Samarkand
And sail the oceans o'er.

But there's another way to roam
I do not have to leave my home
No passport would I need.
I'll find a place no one will look
Then, curled up quiet in my cosy nook
I'll open up a story book.
And read, and read, and read.

Theresa Breslin
photo credit: John Wilson: Bellshill.
Theresa's book Magic Factory: Trick or Treat is £3.99 on the Reading Alone case.

When I was really young, I always loved fishing and being in the sea. Someone told me I should be a marine biologist. I thought that sounded really cool. However, that never quite got off the ground. Then, when I was a bit older, I realised that practically the whole of my family were lawyers. I assumed that was what I would turn out to be too. It was only when I realised that I didn't find it very interesting that I was going to have to find something else! That's where the writing came in...
Dan Freedman
Dan's book Kick Off is a Scholastic Book Fairs exclusive at £4.99 on the Read On case.
When I was younger I seriously considered trying to go into acting and theatre. I was also quite a good folk-blues singer and guitarist across my teens and could probably have lived in that world (of Steeleye Span and so on) as a member of a band. But now, well, I'm 56, so it's late to be starting another career. But if I couldn't be a children's book writer I'd probably take early retirement, though I'd still write poems as a serious hobby. And I might do voluntary work teaching children to read and maybe become a counsellor, helping people to sort out their problems for themselves. And I'd make time to read a lot as well.
Tony Mitton
Tony's book Party Animals is a Scholastic Book Fairs exclusive at £4.99 on the Welcome to Reading case.

I have wanted all my life to be an actor. Both my mum and dad were actors, so was my brother. I was in some school plays and was always too nervous to do it well. I acted the fool quite well - I loved getting the laughs, I suppose. I also found I liked pretending to be someone else. But I never dared take the risk of trying to become a real actor - I wish I had.
But then, later on, and by accident almost, I found I was the next best thing, a storyteller. I discovered I could become the people in my stories, go where they went, feel what they felt - just as actors have to when they climb into their parts and become a character. So I could have been Robert Redford, or James Stewart, Leonardo de Caprio, or Johnny Depp - but maybe I've discovered a way to be me and a bit of an actor at the same - which is much better.
Michael Morpurgo
Michael's book Best Mate is £4.99 on the Read On case.