I’m getting pretty good with the Make ‘n’ Bake polymer clay. I made cow earrings for my muddy book launch, and the book cover for my On Track launch. (My youngest started the cover trend, making the cover of my muddy book, as a young tacker. LOVE!)
2. Who is your favourite literary villain and why?
Scarface Claw. I love how his name conveys so much drama – enough to strike fear into the hearts of puppy dogs. And that ferocious yowl … AND he’s so scary, he even scares himself! *snort*
3. You're hosting a literary dinner party, which five authors would you invite? (alive or dead)
This is by far your trickiest Q, because the kidlit community is so wonderfully supportive – so many beautiful people …
Karen Collum, Katrina Germein, Chloe Killen, Catherine Oehlman & Claire Saxby
Did you see that sneaky little C/K thing I did there? All wonderful friends who’ve contributed to my writing career, as sounding boards, cheer squads, inspirations and critter buddies. And they write beautifully! But I don’t see them near enough. In fact … I’ve never met Chloe face-to-face! (We must fix that soon.)
4. Which literary invention do you wish was real?
Maybe the time machine … but I’d like a few flaws ironed out first!
5. What are five words that describe your writing process?plod, ponder, place, prune & polish
6. Which are the five words you would like to be remembered by as a writer?
authentic, heart, humour, passion & compassion
7. Picture your favourite writing space. What are five objects you would find there?
laptop, internet, recliner, lap-desk & cup of tea
8. Grab the nearest book, open it to page 22 and look for the second word in the first sentence. Now, write a line that starts with that word. (Please include the name of the book!)
'turned'
Turned out, I didn’t know so much as I first figured I did.
To Kill a Mocking Bird, by Harper Lee – because of course, with all the talk, I had to do the reread. And actually, I had forgotten so much! (Recalled so little.)
9. If you could ask one author one question, what would the question be and who would you ask?
I’d have to ask Harper Lee, ‘Are you really okay with publishing ‘Go Set a Watchman’ right now, after all those years?’
10. Which would you rather do: 'Never write another story or never read another book'?
Never read another book … because writing keeps me balanced – and I can always chase down all the other 10 Quirky Q authors who’ve also opted to write – and I’ll read theirs before they’re made into books!
Kathryn Apel is an Australian children's author and poet. Her work includes the picture book This is the Mud! and verse novel Bully on the Bus. Kathryn's latest book, On Track, is another verse novel published by UQP. Visit Kathryn's website for more information about her books, poetry and other creative endeavours. You can read Kathryn's answers to our 12 Curly Questions here.
