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| Photo credit: Sergio Dionisio |
I won second place in a cutest child competition in Singapore, aged 6 and was (briefly) also a cheerleader. I also make the world’s best guacamole from a loosely guarded secret recipe.
2. What is your nickname?
Pipsy! Still used by my nieces and nephews.
3. What is your greatest fear?
Writer’s block. It’s always lurking. Sharks, jellies and other stray marine life make me nervous as I spend quite a bit of time in the ocean.
4. Describe your writing style in ten words.
Contemporary, edgy, shamobolic, funny, dramatic, Australian, young, readable, romantic, lingering
5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
I always meet a deadline.
6. What book character would you be, and why?
Charlie from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I have an unstoppable sweet tooth and would love a chance to taste Willy Wonka’s genius confections (and meet the Ompaloompas).
7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
I’d go to the future – perhaps 2100. I love sci fi futuristic movies and it would be amazing to know what incredible advances we’ve made in technology. Drones? Hover cars? 3D printing? Can I take a second trip? Then I'd go to the 70's for the social change, the music and fashion.
8. What would your ten-year-old self say to you now?
‘Let’s go skateboarding/surfing/tree climbing/do a backflip and then eat a blue slurpee. You are not too old or boring to do all these things. You used to love them.’
9. Who is your greatest influence?
My parents. They led me to incredible music, art and books, gave me a wonderful education, encouraged me to pursue my dreams and gave me a ticket to travel the world. My biggest literary influences are John Marsden, Judy Blume and Melina Marchetta
10. What/who made you start writing?
Like most writer’s it was an annoying inner voice that nagged and nagged until I got a job at a magazine as a writer. My editors, teachers, friends, family and creative writing classmates and fellow authors helped me stick with it.
11. What is your favourite word and why?
Flummoxed. Because it’s so funny to say out loud and also a state I am often in.
12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
You’ve left the hardest question to last! I would pick the Best Australian Short Stories anthology. Variety and quality.
Pip Harry is an Australian health journalist, university lecturer and author of young adult fiction. Her novels include I'll Tell You Mine (UQP, 2012) and Head of the River (UQP, 2014, KBR review). You can visit Pip's website for more information about her books and other writing pursuits and the Head of the River Facebook page for HOTR updates.
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