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

Tuesday 12 February 2019

12 Curly Questions with author/illustrator Alison Binks

1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.
I was a primary school library monitor. We got to wear a badge with gold edging that pinned on with a little chain.

2. What is your nickname?
Binksy

3. What is your greatest fear?
I think all parents have the same greatest fear.
 
4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
Trying to wring out my subject ‘til only poetry is left. That’s 11 sorry.

5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
I try first to be authentic

6. What book character would you be, and why?
Laura Ingalls Wilder… so I could live in the woods, in a cosy log cabin, be more defiant than I ever dared when I was growing up, feel the freedom of an endless prairie and have a Pa who played the fiddle.

7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
After being nostalgic for much of my life I think I’ve finally learnt to live in the present, so I’ll stay here.

8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
'I don’t want to lead an ordinary life'. Answer from my 46-year-old self: 'You will and you won’t, but it will be ok.'

9. Who is your greatest influence?
My parents.

10. What/who made you start writing?
My son Caspar.

11. What is your favourite word and why?
Sleeping – sleeping babies with babies’ breath, sleeping children with one arm tossed over their heads and the covers in a twist but oblivious, sleeping dogs, how much better do I feel after a good bout of sleeping.

12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Something long that I haven’t read before – and hope that someone changes that rule quick smart.



Alison Binks is an artist, architect designer and author/illustrator. She lives in Melbourne and loves camping with her family in beautiful remote areas in Australia. See www.berbaybooks.com.