The Last Word with Matt Cooper Culture Club: Leona Forde
Oct 8, 2025
Leona Forde, a children's author and teacher acclaimed for her Millie McCarthy series, shares her creative journey and insights. She reveals how her daughter's longing for Irish stories inspired her writing. Leona discusses her favorite music, highlighting Dolly Parton's impactful songs and reflects on the emotional depth of Eva Cassidy's 'Songbird.' She also reminisces about her favorite childhood shows and the profound influence of Elia Kazan in film. Discover her new title, 'Milly McCarthy And The Haunted House HullaBOOloo!' and more!
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Make Writing A Fixed Habit
- Commit to regular writing sessions and set modest daily word targets like 500 words.
- Use scheduled blocks (Leona writes one night a week) and exploit hyper-focus when a story flows.
Write From Your Most Vivid Age
- Writers often write for the age they remember most vividly, not necessarily the age they teach.
- Leona remains 'ten and a half' in her head, so Millie never ages beyond that.
First Single Was A Cassette
- Leona's first single purchase was a cassette of New Kids on the Block's 'Hanging Tough' bought in HMV.
- A broken rewind forced her to hear the cassette's Christmas song unless she rewound it manually with a pencil.
