Eoin Colfer Interview

To celebrate the release of the latest book in the Artemis Fowl series, Artemis Fowl and the Time Paradox, Eoin Colfer is taking his one man show on the road. A master anecdotalist, Eoin is great fun to see in action, and his sold out show in London's West End in 2006 was described as 'A brilliantly surreal family narrative full of farting, gentle mockery and subversiveness'. Recently, Eoin took some time out of his busy schedule to answer a few questions for Dads Space - check it out!

Dads Space: The new Artemis book is hotly anticipated by fans - how are you hoping to up the ante this time out?

Eoin Colfer: What I like to do is make each book a completely new story- so while elements follow on from the previous books, there is a completely new plot line and several new characters in each book. This way I hold on to the element of surprise, which is vitally important with a series like this. It is similar to the way Ian Fleming approached Bond.

Dads Space: Tell us a bit about the live show...

Eoin Colfer: The book tour is a hopefully laugh-filled hour and a half where I take a trip down memory lane and try to connect the characters in the books to my own family. Needless to say I try to embarrass my family as much as possible.

Dads Space:You have a background as a teacher. Does this help you connect with younger audiences when talking about your books?

Eoin Colfer: I feel my time teaching taught me not to patronise kids or adjust my material for them. I just tell the stories and they're capable of getting all the jokes.

Dads Space:Do you feel that Dads taking their kids along to your show will be able to enjoy the show too?

Eoin Colfer: This is very important to me as I am one of those dads myself. A lot of the jokes are aimed at how our kids occasionally are a pain in the behind. Kids love this and dads love it too.

Dads Space: Has being a Dad helped you write books for children?

Eoin Colfer: Being a dad is a great help. If I am not sure about a passage or idea, I will imagine how my son would react. If there is scorn involved, I cut the passage.

Dads Space:Did you find it difficult to juggle teaching and writing with fatherhood duties in the early days?

Eoin Colfer: I found it very difficult and my output on the writing front became very sporadic, luckily I managed to get an agent for Artemis and everything took off. I was able to quit teaching and focus on writing.

Dads Space: Has your teaching background helped you with bringing up your own children?

Eoin Colfer: Not really. I found it easier to control 40 kids in a class than one of my own. Also, I have learned that being a teacher doesn't work in a home environment.

Dads Space:What memories do you have of your own father? Did he inspire your career choice?

Eoin Colfer: I wanted to be a teacher just like my dad because he was ahead of his time. In the '70s when other teachers were beating kids, my dad did art every Friday and had a museum in the class. He never hit anyone - he didn't need to.

Dads Space:How do you think your kids would describe your parenting style?

Eoin Colfer: I think I am a little erratic. I wish I was less moody with my boys. Having said that I try to be a little strict on them, but it is a losing battle. I cave a lot to their demands, which is not a good thing. I think my boys would see me as a soft touch, whose bark is way less than his bite.

Dads Space:What do you think makes a good dad?

Eoin Colfer: A good dad can't always be close to home, but when he is there, he's available and more than that, he wants to be with his kids.

Special thanks to Tania from Puffin Books for sorting out the interview.

Artemis Fowl and the Time Paradox is released on 7th August. The Faries, Fiends and Flatulance tour kicks off on 10th August at the Newcastle Journal Tyne Theatre. Check the flyer below for more dates.