Beginner’s pluck: PAULA LEYDEN

Paula used to live in Africa. After university, she taught for five years. Then she worked in the area of human rights in South Africa.

Once democracy came, she worked for a human rights awareness campaign. She played a considerable part in the abolition of the death penalty there. She moved to Ireland 8 years ago. That’s when she began to write.

“I took a course with Siobhan Parkinson. She liked my writing and recommended me to her agent, Sophie Hicks. I wrote another book before The Butterfly Heart. And since, I’ve written two adult books, and two more for children.”

Who is Paula Leyden?

Date/Place of Birth: 1958. Place: Nyrei, Kenya. Her father was working for the British Government there.

Education: Initially in Zambia. Then in England; then South Africa for University.

Home: A farm in Kilkenny.

Family: Partner and five children, including twins of 18.

Hobbies: “I read relentlessly.”

Favourite Writers: “I love Barbara Kingsolver. And for children, it’s Dr Seuss. I love the way he uses words.”

The Day Job: “We breed Irish Draft horses.”

Second Novel: “I’m busy writing a sequel to the Butterfly Heart.”

Top Writing Tip: “To be true to yourself. And to be comfortable in what you write.”

Web: www.thebutterflyheart.net

THE DEBUT

The Debut: The Butterfly Heart. Published by Walker Books. €7.90. (Not available Kindle.)

Set in Zambia, the novel is aimed at 10 to 12 year olds.

“It’s told through the voice of one of a pair of twins; a young girl called Bul-Boo, and the alternate voice is Ifwafna, the snake man. A school friend of the twins is to be married off to an old man. Bul-Boo wants to prevent this, and she consults the snake man. And there’s a fantastical element in the resolution of it.

“Though the story focuses on child marriage, it’s really about friendship and loyalty. It’s about empathy. I’ve had a good response from older children as well, and from adults.”

The Verdict: This enchanting tale is like Alexander McCall-Smith, but for kids.