I am terrified of the ocean. I would rather stick pins in my eyes and swallow flies than go on a cruise ship, boat or dingy.
I have a 2nd Dan Black Belt in Karate.
2. What is your nickname?
I was officially named “Ick-Ick” by my uncle (famous for giving long lasting nick-names)…I also get Nix and Trixie
3. What is your greatest fear?
My greatest fear (apart from failing…) is a tsunami. I dream about them all the time. I can’t watch movies about them, read about them or watch vision from 2004 and 2011 natural disasters.
4. Describe your writing style in ten words.
I write from my heart then edit with my head.
5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Insightful. Thoughtful. Emotional. Simple. Committed.
6. What book character would you be, and why?
Matilda. When I was younger, I believed this book was written about me. Then I grew up to be a true Miss Honey….
7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
I would love to go back to 1950’s to meet my mum as a child, I think we would have been best friends then too….(from all accounts she was a Tom-boy just like me!)
8. What would your ten-year-old self say to you now?
“I love your cool bike.”
To which I would now reply, “Don’t worry, you will get one eventually!”
(I recently bought myself my childhood dream bike….and it IS really cool!)
9. Who is your greatest influence?
My greatest influences have been my parents, my friends and husband. Some of them probably don’t even know it. When I was a kid I really lacked self-confidence, these were the people who believed in me more than I did myself – come to think of it….they still do!
10. What/who made you start writing?
I believe my desire to write (and illustrate) was borne through my absolute love of reading. I was (and still am) an addicted bookworm. You know you have read a good book when reaching the last page brings both pleasure and pain!
11. What is your favourite word and why?
Pickle. You can eat a pickle, be a pickle, and be in a pickle….I like the cute ‘ickle’ sound.
12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Wow, that is a very curly question. Right now, I am reading “Trust Me Too” a collection of short stories from a hugely talented array of authors. I could definitely read this book over and over again.
Nicky Johnston is an author, illustrator, educator, public speaker and passionate advocate for supporting children's emotional health. Nicky's latest book, Actually, I Can is published by Rough Draft Publishing. You can find out more about Nicky and her books by visiting her website.
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