I used to have a pair of denim overalls I called my happy pants. Every time I put them on, I instantly felt happy. I swear they were better than exercise.
2. What is your nickname?
Zanni. My real name is Suzannah, although I feel like no one has called me that for a very long time. When I was a newborn, it was The Grub.
3. What is your greatest fear?
Losing a child.
4. Describe your writing style in 10 words. Warm, with a twist of quirk and sprinkle of humour.
5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.Hardworking, playful, ambitious, imaginative, energetic.
6. What book character would you be, and why? Winnie the Pooh, because he's just so utterly happy and kind. And he lives inside a tree.
7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why? I'm pretty happy where I am. But I'd be curious to whizz back to the 1940s, to meet my grandparents when they were young and beautiful.
8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
Tell me about all the adventures we will have.
9. Who is your greatest influence? My children. My husband.
10. What/who made you start writing? I was bursting with stories before I learnt to write. When I was six, I used my dad's typewriter to tap them out. My spelling has improved marginally since then. I've always written stories. But my biggest creative burst happened after I became a parent, and started reading to kids every day.
11. What is your favourite word and why? Wanderling. It's Dutch for 'going for a walk somewhere pleasant and looking at things'. I think it's such a perfect metaphor for life. I also think it should be a noun and, if so, I would like to be one.
12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?So hard, as I reluctantly read books twice. I think The Enchanted Wood would keep me entertained for a long time. Or maybe Ronia the Robber's Daughter. Or Pippi Longstocking.
Zanni Louise lives in Northern NSW with two delightful children, and an encouraging husband. Her first picture book Too Busy Sleeping, illustrated by Anna Pignataro, was longlisted for the CBCA awards. Her second book Archie and the Bear, illustrated by David Mackintosh, will be released next year with Little Hare. You can visit Zanni’s website at www.zannilouise.com or catch her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/zannilouisesunshinehouse.
