1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.
I’m a bit of a ‘closed book’ so there’s plenty to choose from but in 1991, I climbed Mt Fuji. Saw the sunrise then ruined a brand new pair of pants and new hiking books sliding down the other side on the lava trail.
2. What is your nickname?
Here’s another ‘not-so-secret’ – I’m not a fan of nicknames or of shortening names. Call me Kellie – never Kel. My grandmother was the only person ever allowed to shorten my name in that way.
3. What is your greatest fear?
I have a few, but the idea of being eaten alive by a croc or a shark terrifies me. It’s why I don’t swim in oceans or rivers. Jaws has a lot to answer for.
4. Describe your writing style in ten words.
Short. Sharp. Lots of sentence fragments. Is that ten words?
5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Honest. Direct. Authentic. Articulate. Perceptive.
6. What book character would you be, and why?
Why are these questions so hard? When I was much, much younger, I really wanted to be one of the kids from The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton because I wanted to go and see those worlds (the nice ones) at the top of the tree. These days, I wouldn’t mind having the mindset of Mr Chicken (from the Leigh Hobbs’ books) – he does what he wants and enjoys himself without worrying what other people think.
7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
Possibly back to the 1920s because this was when authors really started breaking the rules around writing, and trying new techniques and styles.
8. What would your ten-year-old self say to you now?
‘It’s about time you took your writing seriously!’
In primary school, I loved writing. I wrote long, long stories that my teachers asked me to read out in our school assemblies. All that came to a grinding halt in high school when it was all about essays. Took me many years to get my creative back.
9. Who is your greatest influence?
I know I’m probably supposed to give the name of an author here, but in all honesty, my greatest influence in believing in myself was a teaching colleague, Janet Salinas, who always asked me about my writing and was constantly telling me, ‘You go, girl.’ Janet passed away last year. I now have her motto tattooed just above my knee.
10. What/who made you start writing?
This could be a very long answer as there are multiple factors that contributed to 'the beginning’. I used to write a lot in primary school, however, what got me started again (in 2014) was the decision to move from full-time teaching to part-time. I had a term of luxuriating in doing nothing before boredom set in and, on a whim, I enrolled in a writing class. It was then I remembered how much I loved being creative. Reviewing is something I fell into, and if I’m honest, it’s because I love airing my opinions.
11. What is your favourite word and why?
I have this one tattooed on my arm as a reminder. It’s a Japanese word – oubaitouri – which means ‘bloom in your own time’.
12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
That’s not fair. I very rarely read the same book more than once. Why? Take a look at my TBR list. I do not have enough life left to put even the tiniest dent in this list, let alone read one book over and over again. [Ed: agreed!]
ABOUT KELLIE
Kellie Nissen is an Australian author, editor and lifelong observer of people, patterns and stories. She writes with a strong focus on voice and character, drawn to narratives that explore belonging, resilience and the quiet turning points that shape who we become. Her background as an editor has given her a deep appreciation for precision and craft, but her heart remains firmly in the messy, imaginative work of writing.
When she isn’t writing or teaching, Kellie can usually be found on the water, dragon-boating with her local club — a pursuit that keeps her grounded, slightly sore, and constantly reminded that good stories, like good crews, are built on trust, timing and the willingness to keep paddling when the water gets rough.
Learn more about Kellie's work here - justrightwords.com.au and check her out on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. You can read her KBR content by using the label Reviews by Kellie.
When she isn’t writing or teaching, Kellie can usually be found on the water, dragon-boating with her local club — a pursuit that keeps her grounded, slightly sore, and constantly reminded that good stories, like good crews, are built on trust, timing and the willingness to keep paddling when the water gets rough.
Learn more about Kellie's work here - justrightwords.com.au and check her out on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. You can read her KBR content by using the label Reviews by Kellie.