As well as being a writer, I am also an actor! I was cast in the Australian tour of the play Mother and Son this year, but it was postponed because of Covid before I really got to tell anyone!
2. What is your nickname?
Shelley, Shell, Muuuuum!
3. What is your greatest fear?
That I will dream up a fantastic story... and forget it! Since my best ideas come to me when I’m driving or in the shower, this is entirely possible.
4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
I write fun and magical stories to ignite imaginations.
5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Imaginative, inspired, passionate, resilient and addicted-to-coffee.
6. What book character would you be, and why?
Fancy Nancy, because I do love frills and sparkles.
7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
The future! Let’s say the year 2345. Because I am super curious to know what happens.
8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
‘I can’t believe you have your own 10-year-old. Would I like her?' (And the answer is yes, you would play for hours together in your own fantasy worlds and she would understand you like no one else.)
9. Who is your greatest influence?
I’m a huge fan of the filmmaker, James Cameron. He writes and produces incredible films and has forged a creative path that is truly his own. I love that he can take something from his imagination all the way through to a finished production. I’d say his films have been a huge influence on me, as well as his tenacity to succeed in a challenging industry.
10. What/who made you start writing?
I’m a night owl but I had an early bedtime as a kid. To while away the wakeful hours I would make up stories in my head. As I got older, the impulse to tell a story never really left me. Anything would spark an idea... the ocean would have an undiscovered creature lurking beneath, a noise in the sky would be a plane arriving from the future. There’s something in me that wants to tell stories. It doesn’t care about commitments and rejections and failed projects. It’s like a hunger (and I get really cranky when I don’t write!)
11. What is your favourite word and why?
Day spa. Wait, that’s two words. I’m going to say ‘breathe’ because I can’t read or say the word without taking a deep breath. And then I always feel good.
12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
I would choose the biggest anthology of ancient mythology I could find. I love ancient myths of all cultures. I have one book with Norse, Persian and Greek mythology in it, called The Encyclopedia of Mythology by Arthur Coterill, but I’m sure I could find a bigger one. Is that a challenge?
Michelle Macwhirter is a children’s author, actor and lover of all things shiny. Her book There is No Magic in This Book (Walker Books) was released November 2020. When she’s not making stuff up for page, stage or screen, she’s driving her two daughters to dancing or walking the dog, Coco. For more information, see www.michellemacwhirter.com