1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.
I used to have a pet axolotl named Jaws.
2. What is your nickname?
2. What is your nickname?
Would you believe me if I told you it’s ‘Mr Awesome’?
3. What is your greatest fear?
3. What is your greatest fear?
It used to be spiders, but I’ve recently developed a certain fondness for the hairy little blighters. So now it’s probably finding myself without wifi access.
4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
Fast-paced, funny, action-packed, quirky, heartfelt.
5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Funny, meticulous, imaginative, concise, gross (sometimes).
6. What book character would you be, and why?
6. What book character would you be, and why?
Farty Marty from my Baked Bean Bandit books. Let’s just say we share a certain, err, talent.
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?
1992, because that’s the last year you could buy the Canberra Raiders-branded lime-flavoured milk. I used to love that disgusting green goop. I heard they had to stop selling it because the green colour came from leftover plutonium, but I can’t confirm that as a fact.
8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
Why did you make me drink all that green milk?!
9. Who is your greatest influence?
9. Who is your greatest influence?
Roald Dahl. I just love his weird, grotty sense of humour.
10. What/who made you start writing?
10. What/who made you start writing?
I had a wonderful Grade 2 teacher who got everyone in her class super-excited about reading and writing stories. Mrs Liddy – if you’re out there, thank you!
11. What is your favourite word and why?
11. What is your favourite word and why?
I don’t have a favourite word but I have a favourite expression: 'ugly as a hatful of monkeys’ bums'. I like it so much I’ve used it in two of my books!
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?
Obviously, it would have to be my new book The Fighting Stingrays. It’s got everything – action, adventure, friendship and not a dull sentence anywhere. I strongly recommend you make it the one book you read for the rest of your life as well!
Simon Mitchell worked as a computer programmer before deciding to branch out and 'try writing in a language that consisted of more than 1s and 0s'. He has completed a Diploma in Professional Writing and Editing at RMIT, where he wrote the first draft of The Baked Bean Bandit. Other titles by Simon include Do You Dare Tough Times, three Aussie Bites books and a picture book, Louie the Pirate Chef. For more information, see www.simonmitchell.com.au.
