I don’t have one, of if I do it’s hidden from me too.
2. Who is your favourite literary villain and why?
Dracula – because it’s possible to feel some sympathy for him.
3. You're hosting a literary dinner party, which five authors would you invite? (alive or dead)
Karen Blixen, Dr Seuss, Bill Bryson, Rachael Treasure, and Elyne Mitchell
4. Which literary invention do you wish was real?
Time travel.
5. What are five words that describe your writing process?
Imagine, visualise, watch, ask, obey.
6. Which are the five words you would like to be remembered by as a writer?
Her characters kept me company.
7. Picture your favourite writing space. What are five objects you would find there?
Lots of notebooks, pictures of things or places I’d like my characters to be, a half drunk cup of ginger tea, my laptop and my old desk covered in dents and cup rings.
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!)
It was a surprise to everyone that Josh McGinty jumped into the river to save the dog, he’d never been that sort. The Barefoot Investor (not my book but the nearest!)
9. If you could ask one author one question, what would the question be and who would you ask?
I’m curious to know from any author where do they think their ideas come from?
10. Which would you rather do: 'Never write another story or never read another book'?
I’d probably have to say read another book, because whilst ever I keep writing I can keep reading as part of that process – but I am very, very glad I don’t have to choose and hope I never do.
Jackie Merchant has worked as a designer, art director and copywriter. She spent the majority of her childhood on the outskirts of Sydney, where, when she was 10, her parents bought an old run-down riding school. Even with no ponies at the time it was a dream come true for a girl with an imagination fuelled by ponies and horses. As an adult, Jackie is lucky enough to share her life with three beautiful horses (Moxie, Percy and Squiggles) and several other animals. She currently lives in Tasmania. The Pony Question is her second novel. For more information, see www.walkerbooks.com.au.
