I met my now husband in a backpacker hostel in Barcelona. Our first date was La Sagrada FamÃlia (GaudÃ’s church).
2. What is your nickname?
Unfortunately for me Anna is a fabulous rhyming word. Anna-Banana is a classic; there’s also Anna-Spanner. My sister’s fav is Annie-Fanny (I probably shouldn’t be giving people ideas!)
3. What is your greatest fear?
Climate change.
4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
Modern, conceptual, quirky, fun, layered, big-hearted and ‘no boring bits’.
5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Inventive, persistent, evolving, empathetic, optimistic.
6. What book character would you be, and why?
Pippi Longstocking. I have the hair.
7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
I wouldn’t mind trying out the 70s (for the music and fashion), but I’d want a return ticket.
8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
She wouldn’t get a word in. I’d be too busy telling her to pay attention in class, so she doesn’t have to learn it all later.
9. Who is your greatest influence?
My Gran. She has such a positive attitude towards life and the best sense of humour. She’s 91 and going strong.
10. What/who made you start writing?
I was inspired to start writing picture books when I had my son and was reading three-plus picture books a day. However, I only started taking myself seriously as a writer when I won a highly commended Andrea Pinkley award at the 2016 SCBWI conference. This gave me the confidence to pursue my dream of getting published.
11. What is your favourite word and why?
Can I choose a Spanish word? Leo, meaning ‘I read’. It’s also my son’s name.
12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I think I’d go for something complicated and daunting that I can only fully grasp on the umpteenth time. I’m yet to read Ulysses.
Melbourne based author/illustrator/designer Anna McGregor is devoted to giving her young readers modern, fun, quirky and conceptual stories. Winner of the storyboard category in the Scribbles Creative Writing Competition 2018 and a highly commended finalist in the Andrea Pinkney Award, her debut picture book is Colouroos (Hachette). Visit Anna at www.annamcgregor.com.au.