What did you like reading as a child?
I loved AA Milne, Dr Seuss and Enid Blyton. I also read of lot of Colin Thiele.
Where do you get your ideas from?
Ideas for my stories come from all over the place: memories, dreams, books, newspapers, conversations and things that happen to me or people I know. I always carry a notebook with me to write down my ideas so I don’t forget them. However, I often get great ideas when I’m in the shower or in the middle of the night.
Where do you live?
I live in Melbourne, Australia but have also lived in Brisbane, Auckland and Singapore.
What’s your favourite colour?
Lime green.
What don’t you like?
Coffee, cooking and cats. (Some cats are OK, as long as they don’t come too close to me and make me sn-sn-sneeze).
Why did you become a writer?
I think I’ve always been a writer. I used to share my writing and poems with just my family. One day I thought it would be fun to write a book. And once I started writing I couldn’t stop. My family thinks I’m very boring when I suddenly get an idea and won’t leave my computer alone because I have to keep writing.
Do you illustrate your own stories?
No. Fortunately there are lots of talented artists around who have illustrated my stories including Ashley King, Gus Gordon, Kerry Millard and Low Joo Hong.
What did you do before you were a writer?
I studied Psychology at university and then worked as a human resources manager. I always wrote for fun in my spare time.
Who has influenced your writing the most?
My grade 6 teacher, Mrs Shaw. She was a wonderful teacher and she was the person who first encouraged me to write. My parents were also very encouraging. I remember following my mother around, reading out my stories as she weeded the garden.