We were recently joined for a lunchtime masterclass with Jenny Downham, author of best-selling debut Before I Die.
Jenny was an actress for many years before concentrating on her writing full-time.
Her debut novel Before I Die tells the story of 16-year-old Tessa Scott, a rebellious and vivacious teenager who is facing a terminal battle with leukaemia.
The book was published in 2007 to widespread critical acclaim. It was shortlisted for the 2007 Guardian Award, nominated for the 2008 Carnegie Medal and the 2008 Booktrust Teenage Prize, and won the 2008 Branford Boase Award.
The film of Before I Die, titled Now is Good is due for release September 19 and stars Dakota Fanning and Jeremy Irvine.
Jenny's second novel, You Against Me, was published in 2010. She lives in London with her two sons.
This web chat is now closed but you can read all the questions posed to Jenny and her replies in the comments section below.
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