2. What is your nickname?
My kids and my grandkids just call me Timmy. Not very special.
3. What is your greatest fear?
Getting a job where I have to wear a suit and tie – and shoes.
4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
It’s about ordinary people in extraordinary situations and amazing places.
5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Determined. Successful. Self-employed. Fortunate. Veteran.
6. What Ningaloo creature would you be, and why?
6. What Ningaloo creature would you be, and why?
A manta ray. They have a big brain, they’re sociable, they swim long distances from place to place, they’re co-operative animals, and they never need to go to the dentist because they don’t have teeth.
7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
1969. The music was great then.
8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
How did you get so old?
9. Who is your greatest influence?
My Mum and Dad.
10. What/who made you start writing?
Books. I loved reading as a kid
11. What is your favourite word and why?
Yes. Most good things come from saying yes to life. No is for people who are afraid.
12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Moby-Dick by Herman Melville. It’s supposed to be about a whale, but it’s about humans. And it’s huge. No point choosing a little book if I only get one.
9. Who is your greatest influence?
My Mum and Dad.
10. What/who made you start writing?
Books. I loved reading as a kid
11. What is your favourite word and why?
Yes. Most good things come from saying yes to life. No is for people who are afraid.
12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Moby-Dick by Herman Melville. It’s supposed to be about a whale, but it’s about humans. And it’s huge. No point choosing a little book if I only get one.
Tim Winton was born in Perth, Australia in 1960. A four-time winner of the Miles Franklin Award and shortlisted twice for the Booker Prize, Winton is a bestselling author whose work has been adapted for the stage and screen and is widely translated. Ningaloo is his first picture book in 20 years. For more information, see www.freemantlepress.com.au.
