Karen McCombie

Where and when were you born?

28 August 1963, in Aberdeen, Scotland. (Think scenic castles, not-so-scenic oil rigs and plenty of thermal underwear and you get a feel for the place.)

What were you like at school?

A bit like Ally, really — kind of popular, but a bit of a worrier. With a dodgy fringe.

What were your favourite subjects?

English and Art. I wanted to be a graphic designer before I was a writer…

When did you know you wanted to be a writer?

I worked for loads of teen magazines, including 'J17' and 'Sugar', doing lots of different jobs (including pet correspondent!). But one day the deputy editor asked me to write some short stories for the magazine. Once I did a few of those, I got the bug!

What do you do in a typical day?

I work v.hard 'cause I only have a little bit of book-writing time — the rest of the day I'm making Playdough dinosaurs or playing 'cafes' with my daughter Milly.

What's your favourite song?

Anything by Kate Bush!

What's your favourite book - you can't choose one of your own!

When I was a little girl I loved the Little House on the Prairie books, by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Where did you get the idea for Ally's World

I live very near to where Ally lives in the book, and there are lots of big old ramshackle houses round there. I used to walk past them all the time and wonder what sort of family lived there...

Which person, living or dead, do you most admire, and why?

My mum, Nancy. Just because.

What keeps you awake at night?

Worrying, like Ally.

What's your most disgusting habit?

Too disgusting to tell you.

What was your most embarrassing moment?

I once showed my knickers to the whole of my year group (by accident!)

What word or phrase do you most over-use?

Um.

What makes you proud?

My little daughter, Milly.

What's the most important lesson life has taught you?

A cup of tea is much better with a good biscuit.