I am part of a WhatsApp group called 'Dogs doing stuff' and it is me and several dog-loving friends. We mainly send pictures of our dogs doing silly stuff or dogs we might see out and about.
2. What is your nickname?
I have several, Tommy, Tombo, Diz, Dizzy, T to the Dizzle, T-dog, Tommy Tucker Boy Boy Boy (that's my dad's pet name for me). It all depends who I’m with.
3. What is your greatest fear?
Polystyrene and clowns
4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
As funny and heartfelt as I can possibly be. There.
5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Really very mostly extra good.
6. What book character would you be, and why?
Probably an Oompa Lompa from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory because I get to live and work in the amazing factory but I don’t have the pressure of running it.
7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
Probably to next year when hopefully the world is a bit more back to normal and I can go to a concert or theatre show!
8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
“You do what!? As a job? Does that mean I don’t have to go to school now?” I would reply and say “No, you still have to go to school!”
9. Who is your greatest influence?
In recent years, Oliver Jeffers made me realise that picture books can be for everyone, not just children and that made me want to pursue illustrating them as a career. Over my lifetime, the powerhouse team of Quentin Blake and Roald Dahl, I still go back to those books for inspiration.
10. What/who made you start writing?
Sorry, I just answered that above. I’ll use this question to add some more people. I would say my parents. They always encouraged me to be creative and write stories.
11. What is your favourite word and why?
Coffee? With the question mark and if it’s said out loud to me directly…
12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
That is a tough one! I know it's cliche but probably one of the Harry Potter books. I have read and listened to (on audio book) them so many times. They are my comfort books. So I’ll cheat and say the series all bound into one massive book!
Tom is an author and illustrator based in Rugby, UK. He has illustrated books for New Frontier, Simon & Schuster, Sleeping Bear Press and Hachette. He has also provided illustrations for various magazine publications and advertising agencies. His latest book is My Summer with Grandad, published by New Frontier in October 2020. For more information, see www.tomtinndisbury.com.