How to Get Famous (13 page)

I love the way DVDs have extras – that's
why I thought I'd give this book AN
EXTRA BIT from the author.

But did any of the story really happen?
That's what I always want to know when I
finish a book. And if you'd like to know the
inside info about
How to Get Famous
, then
read on.

First of all I'm mad about films. And my
very first job was actually as a film critic.
You can imagine how much I loved that:
seeing six new films every week for free.
Then I would review them for magazines –
and on Radio One.

And yes, I did get invited to some film
premieres, and much of what I described
in
How to Get Famous
I actually saw,
including all the thousands of fans and
autograph-hunters waiting behind the
barricades.

I've also appeared on television a
number of times. And just like Tobey, I'm
shaking with nerves before I go on, but as
soon as I'm actually in front of the
cameras I relax instantly.

I've acted in some plays too. Was I any
good? I asked some friends for an objective
opinion. They thought for a moment then
said, 'Well, you weren't terrible.' I
certainly wasn't as talented as Georgia.

I can't do animal impressions either (no,
not even of a cat being sick) but a good
mate of mine can. So I borrowed that from
him.

So really,
How to Get Famous
is a
mixture of things I've seen and remembered,
topped off with a VERY LARGE
helping of imagination.

Pete Johnson

Some other things you may not know
about Pete Johnson:

• Pete's favourite book when he was
  younger was 'One Hundred and One
  Dalmations'. Pete wrote to the author
  of this book, Dodie Smith. She was the
  first person to encourage Pete to be an
  author.
  
• Once when Pete went to a Television
  Studio to talk about his books he was
  mistaken for an actor and taken to the
  audition room. TV presenter Sarah
  Greene also once mistook Pete for her
  brother.
  
• When he was younger Pete used to
  sleep-walk regularly. One night he
  woke up to find himself walking along
  a busy road in his pyjamas.
  
• Pete's favourites of his books are: 'The
  Ghost Dog,' 'How to Train Your
  Parents' and 'Help! I'm a Classroom
  Gambler.' His favourite characters are
  Miranda from 'Trust me I'm a
  Troublemaker,' and Harvey from 'Help!
  I'm a Classroom Gambler.' The books
  he enjoys reading most are thrillers
  and comedies.
  
• Pete likes to start writing by eight
  o'clock in the morning. He reads all the
  dialogue aloud to see if it sounds
  natural. When he's stuck he takes his
  mad dog, Tilly for a long walk.
  
• He carries a notebook wherever he
  goes. 'The best ideas come when you're
  least expecting them.'
  

www.petejohnsonauthor.com