When I was young, I wanted to be an Olympic athlete, a concert pianist, and an author – all three! I didn’t realise you had to choose.
2. What is your nickname?
Tazza
3. What is your greatest fear?
Going blind. I have terrible eye sight! I’ve worn glasses since I was six, although I wear contact lenses, too, now. They have to special order them for my prescription.
4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
I try to be insightful, inspiring, lyrical and lovable.
5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer. Disciplined. Focused. Generous. Optimistic. Self-Critical.
6. What book character would you be, and why?
Tris from Divergent because I’m an adrenaline junkie. I want to scale buildings and do that zip line from the top of a skyscraper, although I’d scream all the way down!
7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
I always wanted to wear a crinoline and also hang out with Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn (though not wearing the crinoline), so let’s say 1877.
8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
Slow down!
9. Who is your greatest influence?
Stephen King. I don’t write in his genre, but his approach to writing is awesome!
10. What made you start writing?
Coloured crayons. My earliest memory of writing is creating little stories using ‘rainbow writing’ with my crayons – alternating lines or even letters with different colours. I still have those stories, which I bound and treasured.
11. What is your favourite word and why?
I couldn’t possibly choose one over the other! But I know my least favourite word because I use it too often and must edit it out: Just.
12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be? The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Taryn is the author of The Harper Effect and currently lives on the Sunshine Coast with a family that includes teen children and a highly-strung dog. Taryn has lived on four continents, meaning her job experience has been varied: an advertising sales rep, a ski chalet chef, a late-night newsreader and the CEO of an internet company, but writing and Australia are her true loves. Taryn is currently working on her PhD in Creative Writing while tutoring undergraduates and writing more novels. When she’s not writing or teaching, she’s training for triathlons in the hope they will compensate for the fact she spends 10 hours a day sitting on her tushie. For more information, see www.tarynbashford.com.