S6 Ep223: Masters Series: RA Spratt

In this Masters Series interview, Katherine talks to best selling author, television writer and podcast host, RA Spratt. RA Spratt is Katherine's kids' favourite author. They LOVE her books and series: Nanny Piggins, Friday Barnes, Peski Kids and Shockingly Good Stories (in that order).  

R.A. Spratt has also written for dozens of different television shows.  In recent years she has specialized mainly in children’s animation, but she has also had extensive experience writing jokes, sketch comedy and political satire.

Her podcast ‘Bedtime Stories with R.A. Spratt’ was launched in February 2020 and has a huge following from around the world, with 2 million+ downloads. 

R.A. Spratt lives in Bowral, Australia with her husband and two daughters. She is currently obsessed with Cross Fit and—according to (her) Instagram—has been the Fittest Childrens Author on Earth two years in a row.

Katherine and RA Spratt discuss: 

TV writing (not as much talking to each other as you might think)   

Writing comedy and the balance between wacky and the everyday

Judgemental narrators 

Pragmatic writing advice, including doing market research on what people/kids want to read 

The evolution/non-evolution of characters in a series

Her approach to writing mysteries - i.e. simplicity on the surface and elaborate-ness underneath

Her philosophy of writing reassuring stories with a beginning middle and end for kids

Check out show notes for this episode on our website www.thefirsttimepodcast.com or get in touch via Twitter (@thefirsttimepod) or Instagram (@thefirsttimepod).

Don't forget you can support us and the making of Season Six via our Patreon page. Thanks for joining us!