1. Tell us something hardly anyone knows about you.
My canvas paintings are signed Bood. So people may not know that they have my artwork hanging on their wall.
2. What is your nickname?
2. What is your nickname?
Bood.
3. What is your greatest fear?
3. What is your greatest fear?
Not being motivated to try my hardest.
4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
Tenacious Exciting Necessary Wise Objective Rich Deadly Substantial. (There you go, look back and you will see that I described my style within 10 words.)
5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Oh come on – look above – I already did it in eight!
6. What book character would you be, and why?
6. What book character would you be, and why?
Tiddalik – one of the only characters I read about at school that came from my Kamilaroi Country.
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?
1788 – I would empathise with Captain Arthur Phillip to lead with greater empathy for a very wise culture that could teach people about respect for the land and one another. Then we would still be living with ‘true’ Common Wealth.
8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
Enough with trying to fart through the didgeridoo in your live shows!
9. Who is your greatest influence?
My mother, Lyla Knox. Her passion for treating one another with kindness is a wonderful gift. She has never focused on all of the things she has missed out on throughout her life – only on the wonderful opportunities that lay ahead.
10. What/who made you start writing?
9. Who is your greatest influence?
My mother, Lyla Knox. Her passion for treating one another with kindness is a wonderful gift. She has never focused on all of the things she has missed out on throughout her life – only on the wonderful opportunities that lay ahead.
10. What/who made you start writing?
My mum. She has steered her family to now have seven sons and daughters, five daughters-in-law and five of her grandchildren who all work in education – to fill classrooms with laughter and wisdom.
11. What is your favourite word and why?
11. What is your favourite word and why?
Vivacious – I used it throughout school to pad my writing with greater vocabulary. It also reminds me of the colours of my country and our traditional art. But, best of all, it describes the laughter amongst my beautiful family.
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?
A ‘Magic Book’ that could change its story every time you were ready to
be filled with more exciting stories encapsulating the never ending
wonders of a multitude of authors imaginations.
Gregg Dreise is a gifted artist, storyteller and musician, and he features the didgeridoo and guitar in his performances at schools, libraries and festivals. He is a descendant of the Kamilaroi and Euahlayi people of south-west Queensland and north-west New South Wales. He is the author and illustrator of many books, including Cunning Crow, Silly Birds, Kookoo Kookaburra, Mad Magpie and My Culture and Me. All of these stories are about teaching morals. They address self-image, friendship, kindness, bullying and indigenous culture. Gregg also has a children’s music CD titled Sing. Dance. Walk Together. He is very proud to be an ambassador of the Indigenous Literacy Foundation, a charity that brings books, laughter, confidence and fun to remote communities around Australia. Gregg is proud to work with Magabala Books; Panguin Random House; Pearson Publishing; ABC Books; Harper Collins; and the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. For more information, see www.magabala.com.
