I’m a proud pop-culture geek! Oh, wait, everyone probably already knows that. How about, when I was a child, I actually didn’t enjoy reading (instead, I loved looking at illustrations and making up my own stories).
2. What is your nickname?
‘Nez’ has survived as a nickname since my high school days, but I’ve also accepted ownership of ‘N’ and ‘Narni’ since then.
3. What is your greatest fear?
I imagine the loss of my hands and eyes (the outlets of my creativity) would be truly awful.
4. Describe your writing style in ten words.
If it’s fantastical, visual, and adventurous, then it’s definitely me!
5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Unique, involved, colourful, expressive, imaginative.
6. What book character would you be, and why?
Oh, wow, hard question! The first that comes to mind is Elizabeth Bennet (from Pride and Prejudice). No, not because she gets Mr. Darcy in the end, but because she is clever, playful, free-spirited, loves her family despite their nonsense, and believes in the idea of having self-respect and being accepted for who you are, and not for your wealth or looks or standing in society.
7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
The year Jesus Christ was crucified. So, A.D. 33-ish? More specifically, I would time travel to Jerusalem just before the Pesach (Passover) festival when Jesus is betrayed and sentenced to death. Imagine what that would have been like to be there, to witness that?
8. What would your ten-year-old self say to you now?
You still play console games? That’s awesome!
9. Who is your greatest influence?
When it comes to stories, my greatest influences are J. R. R. Tolkien (The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings) and Hayao Miyazaki (Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind).
10. What/who made you start writing?
I’ve always been a day-dreamer and creative-heart, but my love for creative writing did not blossom until the inspiring eccentricities of my grade 11 English teacher unlocked my desire to express my unseen imaginings through writing. So, thank you Mr. Vogels!
11. What is your favourite word and why?
“Whimsical”, because it summarizes me quite well, and it both looks and sounds wonderfully lyrical.
12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
The Bible. Because, inside my head I have all the creativity and quirkiness I need. But the Bible has all the inspiration, hope, and truth.
Naomi Eccles-Smith is an Australian author and illustrator. She is particularly interested in the fantasy genre and is the creator of the Dragon Calling books, a five-part fantasy/adventure series set in the fictional world of Valadae. The first two books in the series, Kin Seeker and The Beacon Thrones, are currently available. Visit Naomi's website and Facebook page to find out more about her books and writing.
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