I stole a pencil sharpener from a local hardware shop when I was about seven.
2. What is your nickname?
It’s Neen, which I love for its sound, and the fact that it’s used by my family and oldest friends makes it special and endearing.
3. What is your greatest fear?
Of being unable to look after myself; of being dependent and possibly unable to create.
4. Describe your writing style in ten words.
Picture-creating, emotional, poetic, concise, humorous, tapping into the child’s psyche.
2. What is your nickname?
It’s Neen, which I love for its sound, and the fact that it’s used by my family and oldest friends makes it special and endearing.
3. What is your greatest fear?
Of being unable to look after myself; of being dependent and possibly unable to create.
4. Describe your writing style in ten words.
Picture-creating, emotional, poetic, concise, humorous, tapping into the child’s psyche.
5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Determined, persistent, opportunistic, reliable, hard-working.
6. What book character would you want to be, and why?
Pippi Longstocking. She had it all - monkey, horse, adventure! And she had the courage to be herself.
7. lf you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
Probably in the era of Beatrix Potter - when women could be painters, writers and adventurers, and the English countryside was still countryside.
8. What would your ten-year-old self say to you now?
I’m glad you were able to find your way into a creative world. It was in you all the time; just not much opportunity or encouragement.
I’m glad you were able to find your way into a creative world. It was in you all the time; just not much opportunity or encouragement.
9. Who is your greatest influence?
Nature.
Nature.
10. What/who made you start writing?
Laughing and crying over books when I read them to my classes at school. Then having daughters to write for. And finally attending a weekend writing course where a tutor said a few magic, encouraging words.
11. What is your favourite word and why?
Tranquillity; it represents peace and creativity. I see silver and turquoise. I love both the look of the word and its rippling sound.
Tranquillity; it represents peace and creativity. I see silver and turquoise. I love both the look of the word and its rippling sound.
12. If you could read only one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Cloudstreet, by Tim Winton.
Janeen Brian has had over 70 books published and many have received high accolade. Her most recent book is a historical older fiction/young adult book called, That Boy, Jack. It was released in June by Walker Books.
For further information, see Janeen's website.
Cloudstreet, by Tim Winton.
Janeen Brian has had over 70 books published and many have received high accolade. Her most recent book is a historical older fiction/young adult book called, That Boy, Jack. It was released in June by Walker Books.
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