1. What's your hidden talent?
Throwing rubbish into bins from a distance. I get it in every time! (Now I’ve said that I have probably jinxed myself!)
2. Who is your favourite literary villain and why?
Mr and Mrs Twit. So impossibly disgusting.
3. You're hosting a literary dinner party, which five authors would you invite? (alive or dead)
Oliver Jeffers (so cute and quirky), JK Rowling (because!), Kate DiCamillo (such an uber fan), Karen Foxlee (such a lovely person), John Green (biggest literary crush).
4. Which literary invention do you wish was real?
Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory
5. What are five words that describe your writing process?
Fast, curious, adventurous, free, fun.
6. Which are the five words you would like to be remembered by as a writer?
Imaginative, creative, fun, Errol!, unexpected.
7. Picture your favourite writing space. What are five objects you would find there?
Hanging chair, computer, butterfly, flowers, notepad.
8. Grab the nearest book, open it to page 22 and look for the second word in the first sentence. Now, write a line that starts with that word. (Please include the name of the book!)
Sausage was the silliest hippo that ever lived. (Feasts, by Sabrina Ghayour)
9. If you could ask one author one question, what would the question be and who would you ask?
Dear John Green. How DO you create such believable, vibrant characters?
10. Which would you rather do: 'Never write another story or never read another book'?
Never read another book.
Zanni Louise is passionate about writing quality books for children and inspiring people to write their own stories. Zanni has collaborated with award-winning illustrators to create picture books, including the popular Errol series. She also writes for young readers, including the Tiggy and the Magic Paintbrush series and Stardust School of Dance. Her recent picture book series Human Kind helps kids and their parents discuss values that are important to them. Zanni’s books have been described as quirky, warm and funny, and are sold in 19 foreign territories. She’s been twice listed in the CBCA Notables, and her picture book Archie and the Bear was selected for the highly prestigious international children’s catalogue: The White Ravens. Zanni teaches ‘Writing Picture Books’ and ‘Writing Chapter Books’ through the Australian Writers Centre. She also runs her own course through various writing centres and festivals throughout Australia. Zanni has mentored new and established writers for a number of years, helping writers develop their stories for publication, and achieve their writing dreams. For more information, see www.zannilouise.com.