INTERVIEW WITH AUTHORS ROBBIE CHEADLE AND MICHAEL CHEADLE!
Robbie Cheadle
Please help me welcome authors Robbie and Michael Cheadle to Jemsbooks.blog Segment of Interview an Author.
It’s a pleasure to have you here, Robbie and Michael. The soap box is all yours.
1. Please tell us something about yourself.
I am a qualified chartered accountant and have worked in corporate finance and capital markets for 19 years. I started writing poetry as a young teenager but stopped when I was 16 years old. I started writing poetry again in 2014. I was watching my children and niece playing one morning when a poem came into my head, virtually fully formed.
I started writing publications in 2014 for work. I wrote a series of seven non-fiction publications about the African capital markets. This gave me a lot of insight into the formatting, editing and publication process.
jjspina: I’ve read some of your poetry on your blog. It’s lovely! You are a talented poet.
2. When did you know that you wanted to be an author?
Michael and I started writing the Sir Chocolate series of rhyming verse stories during 2014 when he was 9 years old. They were initially an undertaking to encourage Michael to practice his writing by making up stories together. After a while, we re-wrote his lovely ideas into the rhyming verse format and started making little fondant figures to illustrate them. I used to take the booklets to Sunday School and read them to the children. The children’s pleasure in the stories and Michael and my own enjoyment at writing the stories and making the illustrations kept us going. We published our first Sir Chocolate book in August 2016 and have published a further four books subsequently.
jjspina: That’s a wonderful way to teach your son how to write.
3. What process do you need in order to write?
I don’t really have much of a process. I write a lot of poetry on the move. An idea will come to me and I jot it down at traffic lights, if I am in the car, or the minute I get the chance if I am doing something else at the time. I also do a lot of writing on aeroplanes. My recent longer book, While the Bombs Fell, was written with my mother. We would have a chat about a particular event from her past and she would then write down some notes for me. I developed the notes into a specific story or chapter and did the historic research that we necessary to fit her memories into the timeline of events during World War II. I write when I get some free time, whenever or wherever it comes about. Sometimes early in the morning or late in the evening, during weekends and while travelling. Sometimes I manage to snatch 30 minutes during my lunch break at work but that doesn’t happen often. I usually work through lunch as I am very busy most of the time.
jjspina: Whatever and wherever your muse appears, go with it, Robbie.
4. How do you come up with ideas for your stories?
The ideas for the Sir Chocolate stories largely came from chats to Michael. He thinks of such fun things like the trolls that defend themselves by throwing liquorice chunks and live in a cave in book 1, Sir Chocolate and the strawberry cream berries story and cookbook. He had the idea for the fondant five when I was making the figurines for a cake for a function and we thought of the dragon that breathes multi-coloured fire depending on his mood one afternoon when we were attempting to make sugar crystals.
jjspina: Michael is certainly creative like his mother.
5. What projects are you currently working on?
I have recently finished the editing for While the Bombs Fell, a historical fictionalised account of my mother’s childhood growing up in a English town in Suffolk during World War II. I am currently working on a book of poetry with fellow poet, Kim Blades. That is nearly finished and will go for editing and finalisation in October this year. I am working on a supernatural horror story under the name of Roberta Eaton. I got the idea for this book while writing While the Bombs Fell which is set in Bungay, East Anglia. I discovered there were a large number of ghosts in the town and this inspired my WIP called Nemesis. I am planning to release this book in March 2019.
Michael and I have also recently finished Sir Chocolate and the fondant five story and book which I plan to release in May 2019. I also have two other neglected WIP books, Silly Willy goes to London which is about ¾ finished and There’s no return to sender which is a book about living and coping with a child with PTSD and OCD.
jjspina: Wow, you have certainly been busy with all the WIP books.
6. What hobbies do you have when you are not writing?
Haha, writing is my hobby. It is what I do when I am not working. I also bake and make creations out of fondant art. Blogging is also something I really enjoy and is, by far, my favourite of the social media. It is really the only one where I feel you can develop friendships and get to know people better.
jjspina: You are a talented baker. I have seen some of what you can do and it’s incredible.
7. What advice would you give prospective authors?
You have to keep writing. I was lucky, I found Anne Samson from TSL Publications to help me with publishing my Sir Chocolate books. She has given me a huge amount of help and guidance and I am very grateful to her. Writing is a lonely and demanding occupation but you have to keep at it in order to grow and learn. I learned a lot from other bloggers too. Sally Cronin, Sue Vincent, Charli Mills and Dan Alatorre have taught me an enormous amount about blogging and writing and making the most of both of these things. I was extremely lucky to have discovered Sally’s blog early on in my blogging career. Through her I have met this entire network or wonderful and supportive bloggers.
jjspina: Yes, I agree about how supportive Sally Cronin and other bloggers have been to help us get our books out there. They are true friends.
8. Do you have any unusual talents? What are they?
I do like to bake. I don’t think that is particularly unusual but my fondant art isn’t that common. I find it very relaxing to make lovely things out of fondant, especially, delicate and realist flowers.
jjspina: We all need some outside activities to do besides writing. I think our hobbies help us to become more creative and relaxed. You definitely are a talent with fondant art.
Author’s Bio:
Robbie Cheadle was born in London in the United Kingdom. Her father died when she was three months old and her mother immigrated to South Africa with her tiny baby girl. Robbie has lived in Johannesburg, George and Cape Town in South Africa and attended fourteen different schools. This gave her lots of opportunities to meet new people and learn lots of social skills as she was frequently “the new girl”.
Robbie is a qualified Chartered Accountant and specialises in corporate finance with a specific interest in listed entities and stock markets. Robbie has written a number of publications on listing equities and debt instruments in Africa and foreign direct investment into Africa.
Robbie is married to Terence Cheadle and they have two lovely boys, Gregory and Michael. Michael (aged 11) is the co-author of the Sir Chocolate series of books and attends school in Johannesburg. Gregory (aged 14) is an avid reader and assists Robbie and Michael with filming and editing their YouTube videos and editing their books. Robbie is also the author of the new Silly Willy series the first of which, Silly Willy goes to Cape Town, is now available.
Robbie and Michael Cheadle’s books
Sir Chocolate books – currently available in hard copy and as ebooks
A5 format for children aged 6 to 9 years
Sir Chocolate and the strawberry cream berries story and cookbook:
Sir Chocolate and Lady Sweet live in Chocolate land where you can eat absolutely everything. Join them on a fantastic adventure to find the amazing strawberry cream berry and learn how to make some of their scrumptious recipes at the same time.
Sir Chocolate and the baby cookie monster story and cookbook:
Sir Chocolate and Lady Sweet find a lost baby cookie monster. Join them on an adventure to return the baby to its mother and learn how to make some of their delicious recipes at the same time.
Sir Chocolate and the sugar dough bees story and cookbook:
A greedy snail damages the flower fields and the fondant bees are in danger of starving. Join Sir Chocolate on an adventure to find the fruit drop fairies who have magic healing powers and discover how to make some of his favourite foods on the way.
Sir Chocolate and the Condensed Milk River story and cookbook:
The Condensed Milk River where Sir Chocolate goes fishing has stopped flowing. The water creatures are losing their homes. Can Sir Chocolate and Lady Sweet solve this problem? Includes five lovely new recipes.
Sir Chocolate and the sugar crystal caves story and cookbook:
Sir Chocolate and Lady Sweet journey to the sugar crystal caves to collect the sugar water they need to make their soda pop. To get to the Chocolate Chip Hills they must cross the Chocolate Mousse Swamp infested with alligator sours and a meringue ghost. When they arrive, they discover that the sugar crystals are melting, and something needs to be done to save them. Learn how to make some four fun creations out of biscuits and the sugar crystals too.
Silly Willy goes to Cape Town currently available in hardcopy and as an ebook
Blurb: When the George family go on holiday to Cape Town, Cautious Craig cannot believe what he has to endure at the hands of his naughty and wilful younger brother, Silly Willy. Willy throws tantrums at the most embarrassing and inappropriate times, causes a commotion on the aeroplane and tries to steal a chameleon from Butterfly World. What is a poor older brother expected to do in these situations?
Coming in 2018
What was it like for children growing up in rural Suffolk during World War II?
Elsie and her family live in a small double story cottage in Bungay, Suffolk. Every night she lies awake listening anxiously for the sound of the German bomber planes. Oftenthey come and the air raid siren sounds signaling that the family must leave their beds and venture out to the air raid shelter in the garden.
Despite, the war raging across the English channel, daily life must continue with its highlights, such as Christmas and the traditional Boxing Day fox hunt, and its scary moments when Elsie learns the stories of Jack Frost and the ghostly and terrifying Black Shuck that haunts the coastline and countryside of East Anglia.
Includes some authentic WWII recipes.
Follow Robbie Cheadle at:
Blog: https://bakeandwrite.co.za/
Blog: robbiesinspiration.wordpress.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15584446.Robbie_Cheadle
Plus.google: https://plus.google.com/105609586198905397891
Facebook: @SirChocolateBooks
Twitter: @bakeandwrite
Purchase Robbie and Michael Cheadle’s Books from:
https://www.amazon.com/author/robbiecheadle
OR
http://tinyurl.com/zdokqjr
Thank you, Robbie and Michael, for coming today. It was fun to learn more about you and your books. I wish you all the best with all your books and future endeavors. Please feel free to come back again, now that you are part of Jemsbooks.blog family, to share new releases.
Thank you, readers, for stopping by to read about this talented mother and son duo. Please take some time to peruse their books and links.
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Blessings & Hugs!
Janice
JEMSBOOKS 
Thank you, Janice, for featuring Michael and I on your wonderful blog today. We have loved visiting you.
You are welcome. It was my pleasure! Hugs xx
What an interesting and full.life Robbie. It is lovely how your hobby had become your writing passion. And your two other books sound fascinating. Best of luck with everything you do. What an inspiration you are. 🙂
Thank you, Marje.
Great interview!
Thank you, Tori! Hugs xx
Thank you, Victoria, I am glad you enjoyed it.
Thank you, Tori! 🤗 😘
Fantastic interview Robbie, Michael and Janice…
Thank you, Sally! Hugs xx
Thank you, Sally.
Thank you, Sal! 🤗 😘 ❤️
Thank you Janice. What a fascinating ‘mother/son’ relation-ship the two have! Both sons must be having a lively and interesting childhood to be sure! And Robbie’s other talent is amazing. So imaginative. Best wishes.
Thank you, Joy, for stopping over. Yes, Robbie is a creative person and so is her son. 😆
Thank you, Joy. I hope my boys are enjoying their youth. The seem very happy.
Reblogged this on DSM Publications and commented:
Check out this interview with authors Robbie and Michael Cheadle from this post on Jem’s Books blog.
Thanks, Don, for the kind reblog! Hugs
Thank you, Don.
I just love the bond you share. What a wonderful way to spend time together, learning and playing at the same time.
Thank you, Amy. I am close to both my boys.
Delightful and Interesting! ♥
Thank you, Billy Ray! 😆
You’re welcome, Janice. ♥
Thank you, Billy Ray.
♥♥♥
Reblogged this on Viv Drewa – The Owl Lady.
Thank you, Viv! 🤗 😘
You’re very welcome, Janice!
Hugz on owl wings! @v@ ❤
Thank you, Viv.
You’re very welcome, Robbie!
Hugz on owl wings! @v@ ❤
Wonderful interview with Robbie. Really enjoyed learning more about her.
Thank you, Mary, for stopping by. She is a wonder, isn’t she? 🤗 😘
She is – and so is Michael.
Thank you, Janice. Hugs.
You are welcome, Robbie! 🤗
Thank you, Mary. I am glad you enjoyed this.
Robbie and Michael are a talented duo!! I look forward to While the Bombs Fell. A great interview.
Thank you, Darlene. Yes, they are a talented duo. The new book sounds intriguing, I agree. 😘🤗
Thank you, Darlene. While the Bombs Fell has been a wonderful adventure with my mom.
I always love seeing you and Michael, Robbie. ❤
Thank you, Colleen.
Most welcome. ❤️
Wow, you are a busy person! Very nice interview.
Thank you, I am a very determined person.
I so enjoyed this interview, Janice. Robbie is one of the best. Her stories and fondant are delightful. I’m looking forward to reading When the Buzz Bombs Fell. Thank you, Robbie and Michael!
Thank you for your kind words, Jennie. I am very excited about that book. It is a gift to my wonderful mother.
You’re welcome, Robbie. A perfect gift for your mother.
Thank you, Jennie! Me too1 🤗 😘
You’re welcome, Janice. 🙂
Hi Janice, so glad I had the chance to head over here this morning at last (disappearing again for a couple of weeks) and read your wonderful interview with Robbie. Hi Robbie! I loved getting to know more about you and discover a few similarities. Firstly, how wonderful to write and publish books with your son (my eldest is also called Michael, great name :-). I had designs to write a childrens’ book and have my daughter, my youngest, illustrate it, but it never happened. So I find your story incredibly inspiring. Also, as a girl I went on holiday on the Norfolk Broads every year with my family and still have my ghost stories of the Broads book I loved to read while there, so I can testify to those true, ghostly sightings, and know Bungay well. It is a very special place to me, spending time there with my mum and dad before they split up. Like you, I’ve moved around a lot, always the new kid on the block whether in my English home or when I was living in California. And like you, I’m truly grateful for the wonderful friends I’ve made online through blogging, and so glad to have met you and Janice, and I wish you both every success with your publications 🙂
How lovely, Sherri, your comments are. Thank you for stopping by, my friend. It’s knowing you too. Email me for your interview at jjspina(at)myfairpoint(.)net. 🤗💕
Aww…you’re so lovely, Janice, and my pleasure, I so much enjoyed reading your interviews and will be back for more! 🙂 It’s great getting to know our internet friends even better. I would be absolutely honoured to be interviewed by you…I will be in touch as soon as the dust settles, having just returned (and very sketchy internet for about 10 days!). Thank you so much, my lovely friend! 🙂 ❤ 🙂
I look forward to hearing back from you, Sherri! It will be my pleasure, my friend. 💕
You’re a star, thank you so much, dear Janice 🙂 ❤
❤️
Finland was lovely, Sherri. I am sure you will enjoy it when you get there one day. The only thing is that everything is in Finnish in the shops which makes it quite fun trying to go shopping.
It probably wouldn’t stop me from shopping. lol! ♥️
Thank you for visiting Michael and I over here, Sherri. I have been surprised by how many people I know on the blog have some or other knowledge or connection with Bungay. The more I research the area, the more fascinating information pops up about it. Yesterday, my husband and I visited the British Museum. We discovered the exhibit relating to Sutton Hoo which is also in this area and goes back to 600AD. I bought the book for my Mom. Enjoy your travels. I am sitting at Heathrow waiting for a flight to Finland. A brand new country for me.
Enjoy your trip, Robbie. That’s wonderful to have the opportunity to see Finland. hugs xx
It really is a small world, isn’t it? How fascinating to discover the Sutton Hoo exhibit…I never tire of visits to the British Musuem, your mom will be thrilled with her book 🙂 Thank you, Robbie….we had an amazing time, the fjords are utterly magical, breathtakingly beautiful. Just got back so catching up now, still feeling the land go up and down! Finland is definitely high up on our list, even more so having now been to Norway, as with you, a brand new country to visit, the furthest north I’ve ever been, on land. Through my daughter’s recent DNA test, we’ve discovered a strong Scandinavian heritage, no doubt thanks to the Vikings invading Britain from the north down. Now I know why I felt so much at home there! Have a fantastic time, Robbie 🙂
It all sounds wonderful, Sherri and Robbie! ♥️
Aww…thanks, Janice 🙂 ❤
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Enjoyed reading more about Robbie and Michael. Thanks Janice.
My pleasure. Are you up for an interview? Email me at jjspina(at)myfairpoint(.)net 😘🤗
Sure!
Thank you for reading, Stevie.
Reblogged this on Stevie Turner and commented:
Good interview here; Janice Spina interviews Robbie Cheadle and her son Michael.
Thanks so much, Stevie! 😘🤗
You’re welcome.
This is a lovely interview, Janice. I enjoyed learning more about Robbie (Wow, you’re a prolific writer!) and her writing process. Wishing you the very best in all your endeavours!
Thank you, Jacquie! hugs xx
Thank you, Jacquie. I tend to become very enthusiastic about my hobbies [my husband say’s it is my OCD, I say OCD people are great workers.]
Fab interview Robbie and Janice. Robbie you are such a powerhouse, I don’t know how you do it all. 🙂 ❤
thank you , Debby! I know, she is! 🤗 ♥️
Thank you, Debby. I am very organised and I think that helps me get a lot done.
Great interview, Janice. There is nothing common in Robbie and her books and cakes, for sure!
Thank you, Olga. You got that right! 🤗
Thank you, Olga. YOu are very kind.
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