'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Tuesday 1 September 2015

12 Curly Questions with author Sophie Hardcastle

1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you. 
I still love climbing trees.

2. What is your nickname?
China

3. What is your greatest fear?
Mice

4. Describe your writing style in ten words. 
Dense. Lyrical. Evocative. I never feel forced to write.

5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer. 
Curious. Imaginative. Adventurous. In love.

6. What book character would you be, and why?
I’d be Wendy from Peter Pan because she flies to Neverland with Peter and who wouldn’t want to do that?

7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
I’d go back to caveman times. I’d want to be nomadic and living in harmony with the earth.

8. What would your ten-year-old self say to you now?
I told you you’d be a writer.

9. Who is your greatest influence?  
My mum

10. What/who made you start writing?
It’s innate. I can’t remember not writing.

11. What is your favourite word and why? 
Dusk. It’s the moment the ocean turns to glass and the world becomes still.

12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Blueback by Tim Winton.


Sophie Hardcastle is an Australian writer living in Sydney, NSW. During her teens, Sophie was misdiagnosed with depression. Despite several admissions over two years, Sophie completed her HSC (while in hospital) achieving an ATAR of 98.25 and receiving a Premier's Award for All-round Excellence. In 2013 Sophie was once again admitted to hospital and diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. Her memoir, Running Like China, is an unforgettable account of her experience of mental illness. Visit Sophie's website for more information about Sophie's writing and art.

If you are an author or illustrator who thinks they are BRAVE enough to answer our questions, 
OR if there is an author or illustrator you would like to hear from, LET US KNOW! 
We will see if they are up to the task. Just email: susanATkids-bookreviewDOTcom