I'm terrified of heights (and spiders, and fast cars, and creamed spinach)
2. What is your nickname?
I've had a few but the one that is the most endearing is Min, from the Goon show. My Dad always uses nicknames for people and he adored the Goon's, we were raised on them. I was Min and my brother was Eccles. Dad was Blue Bottle.
3. What is your greatest fear?
Heights (spiders, being in a fast car, having to eat creamed spinach)
4. Describe your writing style in ten words.
Starts a bit wordy, disorganised, ends up prosaic and hopeful.
5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Thoughtful, focused, evolving, adaptable, passionate.
6. What book character would you be, and why?
Possibly Robyn Mathers from John Marsden's Tomorrow series. Not that I'm as good as her, but I relate to her pacifism and her faith. I think I am strong in a similar way, and loyal.
7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
Either 1940, so I could meet and listen to the wisdom of Mahatma Gandhi or 1960, so I could meet and learn from Martin Luther King Jr.
8. What would your ten-year-old self say to you now?
Go climb a tree (I wasn't afraid of heights back then).
9. Who is your greatest influence?
As a writer: a lot of people but probably Roald Dahl and Colin Thiele
As a person: Jesus
10. What/who made you start writing?
I've always written but didn't even consider myself a writer and never really strived for it. I was always focused on illustration. I went to a retreat and the writers had to draw and the illustrators had to bring their writing (we all have some somewhere, closet writers). I had a couple of really bad stories I had written for my kids assessed and yes, they were not very good but I was encouraged to work at it because I had 'raw talent'. I think that gave me a challenge, I like a challenge and so I decided to be a writer. I had my first picture book accepted a year later. I love illustrating and writing equally now. Love it.
11. What is your favourite word and why?
Meniscus, because it is the first scientific word my Dad ever taught me, I think I was about four years old. I spent most of my childhood thinking it was equispice but I just like the way it sounds and it has a nice connection to my Dad, always the science geek. I loved how the water would not spill over the edge of the glass and sit there, suspended like magic.
12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
The Bible, it has everything in it: murder, drama, intrigue, sex, world domination, war, peace, love, forgiveness, flawed heroes, angels, demons, magic, and a great guide to life.
Christina Booth is an award-winning Australian author and illustrator. Her picture books include Welcome Home (Ford St Publishing), Kip (Windy Hollow Books) and Potato Music (illustrated by Peter Groves, Scholastic). Visit Christina's website and Facebook page for the latest updates on her books and illustrations.
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