Many pupils struggle to connect with First World War poets, Shakespeare and all the other set authors.

As well as being an author myself, I have lectured to degree level in 20th century poetry, drama and novels and and I have served on GCSE examining boards as question-setter and senior examiner.

My teaching and examining showed me how important it is to bring literature fully alive for young students. That's why I turned the girl in the photo into Shakespeare's Titania - and her Norwich home into the enchanted forest of A Midsummer Night's Dream.

To quote her mum: 'She won't forget that when she takes her English Lit exam!'

Despite the international reach of my writing, my roots are in Norfolk, where I was born with a stick of chalk in my hand, and I welcome pupils of all ages and stages at my home near North Walsham for personal help with literature and literacy.