1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.
I used to be so shy. I would never contribute in class discussions unless called upon by the teacher.
2. What is your nickname?
2. What is your nickname?
Sometimes my family call me Lily or Lil.
3. What is your greatest fear?
3. What is your greatest fear?
Enclosed spaces.
4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
I write the way I talk, a conversational style.
5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Precise. Thoughtful. Descriptive. Dedicated. Considered.
6. What book character would you be, and why?
6. What book character would you be, and why?
Josephine March, from Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Jo was brave, bold, loyal, caring, principled and tenacious. She dreamed of being a published writer.
7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
When I was 13, I wanted to live in the 1950s because I loved their clothing, music and the dancing.
Now I want to go to any time where we don’t spend our life being ‘busy’. A time that is less hectic.
8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
I’m so pleased that you decided that being different is OK, because now you can finally follow your true desires.
9. Who is your greatest influence?
It has generally come from within me but I have had some wonderful mentors along the way.
10. What/who made you start writing?
10. What/who made you start writing?
It has always been on the edge of my consciousness; I’d get an idea in my head that needs to written down. More formally, it came from a need to communicate with our Landcare members. I began to write newsletters and information flyers for Royalla Landcare. However, more recently an author/illustrator friend told me: ‘You have something there Leanne. Have a go and follow your dreams.’
11. What is your favourite word and why?
11. What is your favourite word and why?
Daydream. It is a place that you can escape to whenever you like. You can contemplate the world around you while you daydream. It is the place where your inspirations come to light. My grade one teacher tried to rap-rap-rap daydreaming out of my head and she almost succeeded.
12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne, especially with the illustrations by E. H. Shepard.
Leanne is an avid reader, art lover, writer and mother to a university student. She developed a passion for picture books during her university years and loves to attend book launches and support local writers and illustrators. Leanne has a BEd (Primary School) and a MEd (Teacher Librarianship). She has reviewed books for KBR (2012) and Reading Time. She has been a stay-at-home mum, a relief primary school teacher, teacher librarian, Landcare volunteer and spent five years volunteering for the Children’s Book Council of Australia ACT Branch. Leanne is also a supporter of the National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature and Buk bilong Pikinini. She is currently taking 12 months off work and volunteering to explore her writing and art. You can see more about her creative year in her blog www.ladybirdsflight.blogspot.com.au.
