I wanted to see if I could do it. I admire good children's books; I love reading them to my own children. After years of reading other writer's books, I decided to see if I could write a book of my own to read to my children.

How did you get the idea for The Giggler Treatment?

A walk from my house to the local shops involves constant side-stepping and slaloming, constant vigilance – a straight line route is impossible because of the dog poo that festoons the footpath. I decided to turn this smelly negative into a positive, and to celebrate the sheer volume of poo on Dublin's streets.

How long did it take to write this book?

Not very long. Perhaps a month. I spent an hour at the end of each working day writing it.

Did you approach writing The Giggler Treatment differently to your adult books?

Yes. I wrote a page or so a day, then read it to my children, to get their reactions. Then, the next day, I'd re-write and then write more and, again, read it to my children and, again, make adjustments – put back things they missed, take out things they didn't like. It became part of our after-school routine for a while. They were my editors.

How did you come up with the characters in the book? Are any of them based on people you know in real life?

Like all the characters I've ever invented, they came out of my head. The seagull, however, is based on an old school teacher and I used to go drinking with the cream crackers.

The chapter headings are cleverly done. Did you have a plan as to what each chapter was going to be called or did you come up with the idea as you went along?

I made up the chapters as I went along. I thought the story was best told in short chapters, and then it seemed more fun to make each chapter break a little event.

Do you have a Favourite part in the book?

I think I like the first time we meet Rover best. It still makes me laugh. I enjoyed inventing him. I like the way his head works.

Do you think this book will appeal to adults?

I hope so. But who can say?

Do you plan on writing a sequel? Or a series of books for children?

I hope to write more children's books. I have one vague plan, and hope to give it flesh in the months before Christmas. It will involve the return of Rover and some of the other characters, and some new ones.

What is the first book/story you ever wrote?

A novel which has never been published – because it is bad. I spent four years writing it; 1982 to 1986. My first published book was The Commitments (1987).

Did you always want to be a writer?

I think I was about 15 when the idea of writing became sort of vague ambition. It remained vague for years. I didn't really start writing seriously for another 10 years.

Where, when and how do you write?

I write in a room at the back of my home, in Dublin. I work between 9 and 5, Monday to Friday. I try to make my work fit in with the family routine. I write on a word processor. I write, say, a page or two. Then I go over it the next day, and the next – making sure it's exactly what I want, that it knits well with the previous pages and the following ones. I constantly "worry" the page and the words on it, until it and they are as good as I can make them.

How do you think your view of the world has changed now compared to when you were a child?

Of course. When I was a child the world was flat. Now, it's round. When I was a child we had a black and white TV. Now we have colour. When I was a kid I wouldn't eat sardines. Now I love them.

What books and authors did you read as a kid? Which are your biggest influences?

I read a lot when I was a child but I don't remember many authors. I loved the William books, by Richmal Crompton. I read everything by Enid Blyton. There was a book by Edwin O'Connor, called Benjy, which I loved. It was sent to me by an uncle who worked in the U.S. It was probably my favourite children's book.

I'm not sure about influences. They seem to vary from book to book. The shape and pace of The Giggler Treatment are, to an extent, inspired by the Captain Underpants books. But, also, Monty Python, had an influence.

As a child, were you disappointed in adults' behavior?

Of course.

What advice would you give to young writers today?

Allow the writing to become part of your day. Get into the habit. Accumulate pages of your work. Give yourself time - time is a great editor. Don't judge your work until you have put it aside for a reasonable length of time.

What do you like best about writing a book for children?

Just that – it is aimed at children. Virtually all of my other work has been for adults. All the movies I've scripted, for example, have been graded Over 15. It's nice to be able to read something of my own to my kids, and not have to wait until they are old enough to read my other work.

If you were not writing, what might you be doing instead?

I was a school teacher for 14 years. I'd probably still be doing that.