I have an envelope marked ‘dragonfly wings’ in my office.
2. What is your nickname?
I don’t really have one. I still respond to anyone within earshot saying ‘mum’, though.
3. What is your greatest fear?
I’m not telling.
4. Describe your writing style in ten words.
My goal: character-driven narrative written with concision, humour and compassion.
5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Curious. Humorous. Persistent. Empathetic. Reader.
6. What book character would you be, and why?
I wouldn’t say no to a term of being Hermione Granger — superior spell-casting ability and Hogwarts food.
7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
I would absolutely love to go back and have an afternoon with my seventeen-year-old self and give her the lowdown on ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING. And I wouldn’t mind an early 20th-century visit to Paris and Berlin.
8. What would your ten-year-old self say to you now?
Can you please get me some more Joan Aiken books? And Twisties?
9. Who is your greatest influence?
In terms of writing YA, it’s my children who are now in their twenties. It was wonderful and illuminating to live through a different era of teenagedom.
As far as YA writers go I’m inspired by so many. Always close to hand are books by Melina Marchetta, Simmone Howell, Cath Crowley, Jaclyn Moriarty and Laurie Halse Anderson.
10. What/who made you start writing?
Writing YA fiction: Melina Marchetta. There were moments of emotional recognition, things I related to so strongly when I read her early books. They definitely inspired me to try to write for this readership.
Writing in general: I’m definitely a writer because I’m a reader, and I was very lucky to grow up in a house full of books in a family where a weekly library visit was routine.
11. What is your favourite word and why?
Liminal, because it sounds like its meaning — an imperceptible movement or transition from one state to another. It sounds ethereal and floaty. Though its etymology is limen, threshold, which is pretty solid and clunky. (There are lots of favourites.)
12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
That is unthinkable. I guess something like the complete works of Shakespeare, the complete works of Jane Austen or a multi-volume poetry anthology.
Fiona Wood’s second book Wildlife was released in June 2013. It is a follow up to her first CBCA- shortlisted book, Six Impossible Things.
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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
