1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.
Hmmm …when I was 10, I swam with sharks.
2. What is your nickname?
2. What is your nickname?
Em.
3. What is your greatest fear?
3. What is your greatest fear?
Losing someone I love.
4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
Rhythmical and rhyming with a sense of fun and engagement.
5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Passionate, committed, enthusiastic, curious, compassionate. (I hope I can live up to that!)
6. What book character would you be, and why?
6. What book character would you be, and why?
Someone with magic powers so I could transform the world’s problems.
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?
Although I have romantic notions about the past, I think the present is actually a good place to be. I am incredibly curious to see what the future holds for our earth so perhaps 2088.
8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
Keep following your dreams.
9. Who is your greatest influence?
9. Who is your greatest influence?
Talented, passionate and clever female writers, such as Men Fox, Jackie French and Alison Lester. The impact these writers have had on children’s love of reading, imaginations and creativity cannot be underestimated.
10. What/who made you start writing?
10. What/who made you start writing?
I have always written privately, however the turning point for me was when I decided to believe in myself, call myself a children’s author and do everything possible to achieve that dream.
11. What is your favourite word and why?
11. What is your favourite word and why?
Love. Does anything else really matter?
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?
That is a curly one! I have the complete works of Shakespeare sitting next to my desk and I imagine that would keep me thinking for quite a while.
Emma Middleton is a picture book author, illustrator, children’s performer and former ballerina who lives near Noosa, Queensland. Emma’s passion is to create picture books that enhance a child’s sense of wonder, delight and unlimited possibility. Emma is the author of companion picture books The Lion in our Living Room and The Bear in our Backyard. For more information, see www.emmamiddleton.com.
