'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Tuesday, 16 September 2014

12 Curly Questions with author/illustrator Dave Hartley

1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.
I was a mascot at the footy as the Gold Coast's only superhero, Titus.

2. What is your nickname?
Davo.

3. What is your greatest fear?
Being eaten by a shark. I would definitely hate to be eaten by shark. Being eaten by people comes a close second.

4. Describe your writing style in ten words.
Simple, fun and keep the reader guessing. Is that ten?

5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Creative, mysterious, mischievous, exciting, compassionate.

6. What book character would you be, and why? Easy question - Batman. I'd love to be the Dark Knight because he beats up bad guys, wears a cool costume and drives the meanest car in town. And he has a butler.

7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
I'd go back to 1960, pick up a guitar and join The Beatles. Then it would be John, Paul, George and Dave!

8. What would your ten-year-old self say to you now?
Man, you got ugly!

9. Who is your greatest influence?
My mum. She taught me the importance of hard work and respect.

10. What/who made you start writing?
I only started writing seriously after I had children. I'm very creative and I wanted to share some of my crazy stories with crazy kids.

11. What is your favourite word and why?
Beautiful. It makes you think of nice things and you can say it to answer a question when you're not really listening. For example:

"Do you want toasted sandwiches for dinner?"
"Beautiful."

12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Deadly D and Justice Jones: Rising Star. The joke on page 168 never gets old!


Dave Hartley is the co-author (with Scott Prince) and illustrator of the Deadly D and Justice Jones junior fiction series. His latest book, Deadly D and Justice Jones: Rising Star was published by Magabala Books in September 2014. You can find out more about David at the Magabala website.

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: susanATkids-bookreviewDOTcom