Kasey: I used to be a professional cake decorator.
Chris: I’m a heavy metal fan. Mainly late 1970s and hair metal throughout the 1980s: Judas Priest, Dio, KISS, Iron Maiden.
2. What is your nickname?
Kasey: At school I was called Cantankerous Kasey.
Chris: I don’t really have one now, but throughout primary and secondary school everyone called me Scone — even the teachers.
3. What is your greatest fear?
Kasey: Regret. I don’t want to look back and feel like I wasted my opportunities.
Chris: Living in a world without books.
4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
Kasey: Get it done.
Chris: Make a mess and then clean it up.
5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Kasey: Persistent, consistent, ambitious, hopeful, resilient.
Chris: Structure, structure, structure, structure, structure.
6. What book character would you be, and why?
Kasey: Maisy Mouse — she can do anything, and she’s got a really diverse and loyal group of friends.
Chris: I took a scientific approach to this question and did a BuzzFeed-type quiz. Turns out that science says I am Percy Jackson. Why? I’ll let the science do the talking: 'Brave, spirited natural leader, and is willing to risk his life to save friends, family, strangers, and sometimes even enemies. You have a sarcastic and smart sense of humor. Although, sometimes when you get angry, you tend to do action before plan yet, you are the most powerful DEMIGOD!'
You can’t argue with science.
7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
Kasey: I’d travel to 1600 to see a play at The Globe theatre and confirm the true identity of Shakespeare.
Chris: I would travel to the future to when my daughters are old women and see how their lives turned out.
8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
Kasey: Read more books as a child, please.
Chris: A centre part isn’t going to work for your; you’ll look better with a shaved head than you ever will with hair.
9. Who is your greatest influence?
Kasey: My husband and co-writing partner, Chris. His super power is insane optimism.
Chris: My wife, Kasey Edwards.
10. What/who made you start writing?
Kasey: Reading the book Hating Alison Ashley when I was in grade 5.
Chris: Robin Klein’s Hating Alison Ashley was the first had me rolling around the floor laughing and Stephen King’s Firestarter, The Shining and Misery hooked me and wouldn't let me go.
11. What is your favourite word and why?
Kasey: Yet. It’s full of hope, power and potential. It’s magic just waiting to happen.
Chris: Snack. Snacks are good!
12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Kasey: Jane Eyre. To remind myself that even when the world thinks you are ordinary you can be extraordinary.
Chris: Remainder by Tom McCarthy. If you haven’t read it, read it. Probably the most original story I’ve ever read.
Violet Grace is the pen name of wife-and-husband writing team, Kasey Edwards and Christopher Scanlon. Kasey is an author and columnist and Christopher is an academic and social commentator. They live in Melbourne with their two daughters. For more information, see www.blackincbooks.com.au.
