About twice a year I dream of driving up a hill in my car when my brakes fail. I press hard on the accelerator but it’s not enough…my car and I slip back down the hill, down, down, towards the swamp of deadly quicksand silently waiting. Oh!
2. What is your nickname?
Anna Bananna
3. What is your greatest fear?
Quicksand!
4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
Writing for me is like exploring, so I enjoy my characters finding their courage, dodging the quicksand, climbing to the top of hills and seeing the view.
5. Five positive words describing you as a writer.
Curious, emotional, adjectival, funny, mysterious
6. What book character would you be, and why?
This week I’d be Louis, from Louis Beside Himself, because I’m still glowing from his battle with a muscle-bound bully – and his only weapons were his words!
7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
I would like to be invited to the dinner table of Lorenzo the Magnificent, ruler of Florence in 1489…Next to me would sit the young sculptor Michelangelo, his master Ghirlandaio, with Lorenzo at the head, discussing poetry, art, philosophy, while serving us delicious roast peacock.
8. What would your ten year-old self say to you now?
So we’re not going to be an amazing go-go dancer wearing a gold mini skirt on our favourite TV show Countdown?
9. Who is your greatest influence?
My family, my friends, and maybe L.M. Montgomery who wrote Anne of Green Gables.
10. What/who made you start writing?
My mother Barbara gave me marvellous books, which took me to places that made my imagination come alive. And then I found that writing opened up the world in the same way as reading, only with writing I got to choose the places I travelled to!
11. What is your favourite word?
Lambent, which means ‘softly bright’. I like it because it means two things at once. And it makes me see moonlight, one of my favourite things.
12. If you could read only one book for the rest of your life what would it be?
I’d go mad – what sort of a world would that be? I’d be too busy trying to change it!
Anna's brand new book, Figaro and Rumba, is out now!
If you are an author or illustrator who thinks they are BRAVE enough to answer our questions,
OR if there is an author or illustrator you would like to hear from, LET US KNOW!
We will see if they are up to the task. Just email: anouskaATkids-bookreviewDOTcom