NORTHERN HIGHLIGHT  Matt Goodfellow Why did you become a writer? I’m a failed rock star, basically. I studied English up to degree level, but all the while was the singer and one of the songwriters in an Indie band. When I was about 23 or 24, I realised the musical dream was never going to happen (mainly because I was a bit rubbish!) and put the guitar down. I needed a ‘proper’ job and so became a primary school teacher. Quite quickly into my teaching career, I began writing poems and songs with my classes and also took note of the visiting authors/poets we had in school. I gradually realised I wasn’t supposed to teach, I was supposed to write. As I started to get more and more poems published in anthologies, I went part time as a teacher and then a few years back left the profession behind for good. Illustrated by Krina Patel-Sage, published by Otter-Barry Books Tell us about where you live. I was born in Withington, Manchester but have spent most of my life living in and a...

NORTHERN HIGHLIGHT  Naomi Gibson Why did you become a writer? I don't remember "becoming" a writer as I've always kind of written, but I did grow up without a TV and so was always surrounded by books. I read A LOT when I was a kid. Writing my own book was probably inevitable now that I think about it. I started to take writing seriously about five years ago when I enrolled in writing classes at a local college. It taught me all the rules, many of which I've joyously broken in my debut, EVERY LINE OF YOU. Published by Chicken House  Tell us about where you live. I've just moved from Warrington in Cheshire to Glasgow in Scotland. It's so different here, but I'm loving it. I haven't been able to explore the city as much as I would have liked, but there are lots of gorgeous walks and everyone is so friendly. Where do you write?  I write at home. I've always wanted to be one of those people who writes in cafes, but I can't concentrate. I need ...