2. What is your nickname?
When I was little, my family called me Fizzgig.
3. What is your greatest fear?
Easy. Vampires. So scared of vampires!
4. Describe your writing style in ten words.
Don’t need ten, just one: chaotic. Although that’s six words...
5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Daring, brave, playful, well read.
6. What book character would you be, and why?
Elizabeth Bennett in Pride and Prejudice because she gets to read, play piano, go on long walks and lives happily ever after. But in my version, she would have to move to a better climate... Italy perhaps.
7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
I’m interested in studying many periods of history but also conscious that women didn’t have many rights in some of them, so travelling there would be dangerous. Tudor and Elizabethan times fascinate me (I’d love to see original Shakespeare!) My son assures me that if I travelled back to these times I would be burnt at the stake for being a witch! I’d love to see ancient Greece too.
8. What would your ten-year-old self say to you now?
I like what you’ve done with my hair.
9. Who is your greatest influence?
There are many authors, musicians, artists and poets who I admire. Creative people influence me. But one artist that was very formative for me was the painter Frida Kahlo. I was given her biography for my 16th birthday. Frida and I share a birthday! Learning about her showed me you can live your creativity,
live your art, and make art from what is personal to you.
10. What/who made you start writing?
I’ve always loved reading and telling stories. I have six sisters and one brother, and I was always trying to entertain them and make them laugh. Teachers were always encouraging and that helped. Writing is something I feel compelled to do. It’s a big part of being me. So I guess I made myself start to write!
11. What is your favourite word and why?
Flippercanorious. It’s a lost word that means brilliant. I discovered it researching for my first novel, The Secret Library of Hummingbird House and have been trying to bring it back into everyday usage. Please help by using it when you can. That would be flippercanorious! Thanks.
12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
That’s so tough!!! I love reading... much more than I love writing. Could I have a series? I’d choose the Narnia series.
Julianne Negri is an award-winning writer and library worker living on the unceded land of the Wurundjeri people. Her debut children’s novel The Secret Library of Hummingbird House was a 2021 CBCA Notable and debut picture book, Almost a Fish, illustrated by Evie Barrow, won the 2024 Speech Pathology Book of the Year award. With over a decade of experience working in libraries, Julianne is a passionate advocate for children’s literature. She has followed varied creative pursuits as a musician, film maker, television host, eco-crafter and has five children. For more information, see www.juliannenegri.com
