Hello, I'm Michelle Robinson and I write books for children.

Did you know?
I have the same birthday as my writing hero, Roald Dahl (Sept 13). Roald and I also
share his love of chocolate. I had an operation to take away my bowel. It means I can't fart - honestly!
What am I doing right now?
Writing, daydreaming, visiting a school, cooking, vacuuming, pootling about my hip-hop-happenin' home town of Frome or - if it's a Majorly Cool Author Day - hanging out with famous writers and illustrators. I'll be the one dressed as a sausage.
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Meeting Michael Rosen at The Sheffield Book Awards 2018.
Growing up (kind of).
I've dreamed of being an author since I was five. Before I learned to write, I'd fill whole notepads with squiggly lines that looked a bit like joined-up writing. I grew up in a working class household, and was the first person in my whole, very big family to go to university. I managed to get my degree thanks to a local authority grant, multiple student loans and by keeping up a part time job while studying. I have a very strong work ethic! I started writing books for children in my spare hours outside work, every day, early in the morning and late at night. My first real book came out in 2012. I couldn't quite believe it. Thirty-something books later, I'm still working all the hours I can, in between being mum and all that other grown up stuff.
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My first ever book!

As Enid Blyton once said, 
"I am very shy and retiring . . .
until I put on
my sausage costume." 

Dear old Eeny B. didn't really say that. In fact I am probably the only author who dresses up as processed meat. My job is brilliantly bonkers. I spend half my time Googling things like 'What do you call the wobbly bit under a goat?' or wondering how a sock might feel if it got stolen by a cat. I highly recommend becoming a writer.
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Famous-ish author meeting super famous Hacker T. Dog. The hairy one is my husband.
Being an author is GREAT!
Having books with your name on the front is AMAZING - it proves you've done something really quite clever plus it makes you feel a teeny bit famous even though you're not. 

​I work with loads of brilliant, talented people who I admire and love. Teamwork makes my stories loads better than they would be if I had to work all by myself (although clearly I am a major literary legend and one-woman-publishing-phenomenon). 

​Best of all, being an author means I get to meet thousands of children. It's the most fun ever, and it really is wonderful to see people enjoying your books. 
I'm seriously silly!
I love writing stories that make me laugh. Funny books cheer us up when we're sad or worried - it does us all good to smile. So,
BRING ON THE CROSS-DRESSING MARTIANS!
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Grandmas From Mars by my buddy Fred Blunt.
One of my books went to space. 
I like to mention this a lot. Wouldn't you? Having your book read to planet Earth from the International Space Station is a pretty big deal. Nick East is the same - he illustrated the book and he never shuts up about it. He's all. 'Did you know one of my books went to space with ESA astronaut Tim Peake?' Put a sock in it, Nick. For the record, the book we're always banging on about is called 'Goodnight Spaceman' - hey, did I tell you it went to space?
PictureBear Boar has fewer than 20 words!
My writing tips for young authors
  • Practise makes perfect: try writing a little bit every day. 
  • Don't worry if it goes wrong. Even the dodgy bits add up to you becoming a better writer. I still write loads of stories that aren't good enough to become books.
  • Ask for a dictionary for your birthday. You don't need to fill your stories with too many words, but it's good to know what they all mean. 
  • READ! Join a library and borrow books for free. Librarians will help you find books you'll enjoy.
  • Re-write familiar stories in your own words. It's a bit like having stabilisers on a bike - the more you write, the more confident you get, and the more original your stories will become. You'll soon chuck out those stabilisers and free-wheel!
  • Having dyslexia doesn't mean you can't write. Tom McLaughlin, who illustrated my Chicken Nugget stories, is dyslexic and he's one of the very best children's authors on the planet. He is also ace. FACT.​

PSST! There are more in-depth tips on my RESOURCES page, plus loads of colouring and activity sheets as well as audio games you can play at home or at school.
See you around!
I'd love to meet you. Check out my EVENTS page to see where I'm performing. You can even write to me on my 
CONTACT page, if the grown ups let you.
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Goodnight Spaceman (did I tell you it went to space...?) at the Hay Festival.
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See? Totally normal. Just hanging out by some graffiti.
© COPYRIGHT 2019. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.