I lived in a house where there was a ghost.
2. What is your nickname?
Everyone calls me Prue but my proper name is Prudence. Mum was the only one who called me Prudence and it was only when she was cross with me.
3. What is your greatest fear?
Hurting anyone unintentionally
4. Describe your writing style in ten words.
Fast-paced plot that's reliant on setting and an adventurous situation.
5. Tell us 5 positive words that describe you as a writer.
Persistent, flexible, playful, enthusiastic, intuitive.
6. What book character would you be and why?
Alice from Alice in Wonderland. I'm still looking for that rabbit burrow and trying to get through the mirror to have even more adventures.
7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
1927. I would become the first woman pilot in Australia. Before 1927 women in Australia weren't allowed to join an aero club or get their pilot's licence.
8. What would you ten year old self say to you now?
Wouldn't it be fun if your latest book became a film? (The first time I ever saw movie at a cinema was Mary Poppins which was based on one of my favourite books at the time because I was just ten years old.)
9. Who is your greatest influence?
Ivan Southall. He was an Australian author who wrote stories about children who got into dangerous situations and he let them cope. Reading his books - To the Wild Sky and Ash Road - when I was about twelve years old I used to wonder how I'd react in that situation. Would I be the brave one, the coward or maybe the bully? The books I write are still asking myself that question.
10. What/who made you start writing?
It was my oldest sister's idea. She was five years old and I was only four years old. She said we could be famous authors and write bestselling books. The problem was neither of us had learned to read or write at the time. She grew up to be a librarian and looks after books and I write them.
11. What is your favourite word and why?
Courage? It's what we need to reach our potential in life. Fear of failure is such a killer of dreams.
12. If you could read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
An anthology - Van Gogh's Ear: Best world Poetry, Prose and Art.
Prue Mason is an Australian author who has lived in Canada and the Middle East. Her previous work includes the novels Camel Riders and Destination Abudai. Her latest novel, Zafir, focuses on the life of a young boy living in Syria and is part of Allen & Unwin's excellent Through My Eyes series. Visit Prue's website for more information about her books and writing.
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