Eoin Colfer

Quick Notes on the Author

Provided by www.artemisfowl.co.uk.
Name: Eoin Colfer (obviously)
AKA: The Daddy, The Author
Residence: Wexford, Ireland
Distinguishing features: Always has a book in one hand and a pen in the other.
Likes: Heavy metal music. Batman. Parachuting.
Dislikes: Landing from parachute jumps. Queues. Talking in the cinema
Favorite song: 'Tribute' by Tenacious D
Favorite movie: Shakespeare in Love
Favourite Book: Stig of the Dump
Most Treasured Possession: Books
Most likely to be found: In a bookshop
Secret ambition: To be a cartoonist
Don't say: Do you think children are able to read all these long words?

Brief Biography:

Eoin Colfer was born on May 14, 1965 in Wexford, Ireland. He was a former elementary school teacher who has worked not only in Ireland but in Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Italy. Eoin written many plays, which have been staged in all around Ireland. In 1991, Eoin married Jackie.

Benny and Omar was his first novel, published by The O'Brien Press in October of 1998. It immediately became a bestseller. His second book, Benny and Babe was published in June 1999. It became a #1 bestseller in Ireland.

When Colfer's Artemis Fowl was published, the book's great success reached other parts of the world. When the book was presented by Eoin's agent, publishers fought a war over who would get to publish the great novel. The book was eventually bought by Viking.

Miramax offered Artemis Fowl £700,000 ($1,270,588.88)in advances (the largest amount ever that was ever given to an unknown author). Eoin Currently resides in Wexford with his wife and two children.

Interview with Eoin Colfer

When did you start writing?
My first attempt at proper writing was way back in 6th grade. I wrote a play for the class about Norse gods. Everyone died in the end except me.

Where do you get your ideas and inspiration from?
Inspiration comes from experience. My imagination is like a cauldron bubbling with all the things I've seen and places I've visited. My brain mixes them all up and regurgitates them in a way that I hope is original.

Can you give your top 3 tips to becoming a successful author?
      1.Practice - write every day even if it's only for ten minutes. Remember, nothing is wasted.      Eventually your style will emerge. Persevere!
      2.Don't submit your manuscript until it is as good as you can make it. Edit! Cut! Chop! Trust your      editor.
      3.Get a good agent - she will find the publisher that is right for you.

Favorite memory?
One of my favourite memories is from my wedding day when my wife and her 3 sisters lined up for an impromptu Irish dancing session. A precursor to Riverdance.

Favourite place in the world and why?
Slade, a small fishing village in Ireland. It's where I spent the holidays of my youth fishing and now I go back with my own son.

What are your hobbies?
My main hobby is reading, I even read the labels on jars. I also love the theatre and have even written a few plays. I have recently been introduced to parachuting!

If you hadn't been a writer what do you think you would have been?
If I hadn't been a writer, I think I would have continued as a primary school teacher. Kids are a great source of inspiration.