When I lived in Katherine in the Northern Territory, I used to visit remote Indigenous communities as a flying sonographer.
2. What is your nickname?
I don't have one.
3. What is your greatest fear?
Being given a terrible nickname.
4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
Funny, silly stories, written in a clever way. (Concise, too!)
5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Hard-working, imaginative, fun, completely obsessed.
6. What book character would you be and why?
I think I already am one — Janine from The Book Chook!
7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
I think I'd go back to the eighties, so I could be a kid again. Grade 3 was a great year for me.
8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
You drive a MINIVAN?!
9. Who is your greatest influence?
I'd have to say watching decades of funny movies and TV shows. Or perhaps it's my three kids — knowing what they like and imagining how they (and their friends) would react to whatever story I'm currently writing.
10. What/who made you start writing?
My kids! I'd been reading picture books to them for years and one day I realised that I wanted to write for kids, too.
11. What is your favourite word and why?
Pernickety. It just sounds silly. And reminds me of undies.
12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
What a horrible thought! Let's see... I'd probably self-publish a digital compilation of the world's best picture books since 1985 (judged by me) and choose that. If I went to jail for copyright infringement, I'm sure people would understand. This is, of course, assuming Kindles are allowed in jail.
Amelia lives in the Blue Mountains and is the author of The Book Chook and several other picture books that are coming out soon. She enjoys yoga and snorkelling but not at the same time because that's really hard. Amelia has four chooks, three kids, two hermit crabs and a husband. For more information, see www.ameliamcinerney.com.