Horrible Science author, Nick Arnold, has been writing books and stories since he was a lad. Even in those days his favourite subjects for stories were horrible goings-on - the more gruesome the better!

Nick's first published books appeared seven years ago when he was working at the University of North London on a project teaching kids about nature. This led to a magazine article and then, one day, Nick had a brilliant idea. He said to himself, "If I can write newspaper articles, then I can write books for other publishers too!"

Since then Nick has lost count of the number of books he's written (that's 'cos he can't count very far!). Three years ago, he teamed up with Scholastic and began writing the incredibly popular Horrible Science series.

Since Horrible Science began, Nick has been constantly in demand to appear at bookshops, schools and festivals. He's even been on TV this year! His events are action-packed sessions full of gruesome facts, curious quizzes and revolting experiments, based on his latest books.

When he's not doing events or writing, Nick likes eating pizza and riding his bicycle - but not all at the same time!

To find out more about Nick why not check out his website at www.nickarnold-website.com

Why did you want to become a writer?

When I was growing up I loved reading and writing stories more than anything and I thought that it would be just wonderful if I had the chance to do what I enjoyed when I was older.

What kind of books do you write?

I'm best known as the author of the Horrible Science series - a collection of horribly gruesome and horribly funny books on the science of well, everything. I have also written a series of animal stories called Wild Lives.

Where do you get your ideas from for your books?

I wish I could say I get them from the ideas shop and anyone can go along and get ideas whenever they want. But I can't because ideas can't be bought and they don't grow on trees. All I can say is that ideas come to me at odd times - and the only thing I can do to help things along is to read as many books as I can to keep my mind buzzing and to relax as much as I can. You can't have good ideas if you're tired!

What is a typical day for you?

I've forgotten what a typical day is like! My day will often involve answering e-mails from fans to my website nickarnold-website.com and writing books. But there are also a million and one other things to do such as checking books that are being published and sometimes I forget what I am supposed to be doing and chase the cat round the garden instead.

Do you have a favourite place where you work on your books?

I tend to move around the house - anywhere away from the phone and doorbell and e-mails. Very often I end up in my summerhouse and just live there until the book is written.

Which of your own books do you like best and why?

I like all of my books for one very good reason - if I didn't like them then I wouldn't let the publishers sell them. As for which one I like best that's a bit tricky. I have favourite bits from many of my books but when I'm asked I usually say that I like the cartoons in Nasty Nature best because they always make me laugh and Tony De Saulles the Horrible Science artist is just marvellous at drawing animals.

Who was your favourite author when you were a child?

I liked lots of authors - most of whom no-one has ever heard of. Amongst my favourites were the Narnia books of C. S Lewis.

Are you working on any new material now?

Of course I am! Right now I've just completed a new book about the gruesome side of global warming and putrid pollution with the title Wasted World. I am just starting a new Horrible Handbook on how to be a dinosaur spotter (this is quite tricky without a time machine). On top of that I am director of the Appledore Book Festival that runs from 27 September to 5 October and features top author talks so there's never a quiet moment right now!

What advice would you give to would-be authors?

No-one ever became an author without practising so write as much as you can to improve your skills! Libraries are great places to check out fantabulistic free-to-borrow books and by reading more you can boost your wordpower. So get borrowing and get those creative juices flowing!