Before writing children’s books, I worked on building the brand stories of some of Australia’s most favourite products. A normal workday could see me on a set of a TV commercial with a cast of puppies causing a ruckus, or developing ideas for new baking products.
2. What is your nickname?
It’s actually Lana which is a shortened version of my full name.
3. What is your greatest fear?
Cassowaries, thanks to an overzealous tour guide on a hike in the Daintree Rainforest!
4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
Carefully crafted ideas and evocative language that leaves an impression.
5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Optimistic, inspiring, entertaining, impactful and hopeful.
6. What book character would you be, and why?
This is a tricky question. If I must narrow it down to one, it would be Alice from Alice in Wonderland. She’s my kind of book character; a heroine who uses her imagination and wit to successfully navigate her way through a curious world!
7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
I wouldn’t go too far back in time. I’d love to go back to the 1980s and experience it as a grown-up as I was a child back then. I’m all for crimped hair, neon-coloured fashion and the music!
8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
She would give me the greatest hug and say, ‘You did it!’
9. Who is your greatest influence?
My children. Their hopes, dreams, fears and clever observations drive everything that I do in my life.
10. What/who made you start writing?
I have been so lucky to have been influenced by many supportive and incredible school teachers throughout the years. Their encouragement and love of storytelling is why I started writing at a young age and never stopped.
11. What is your favourite word and why?
My favourite word changes daily! Currently it is smile because it makes me smile whenever I say, hear or read it.
12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Without a doubt, Charlotte’s Web. I have fond memories of my grade four teacher, Ms Phillips, reading a chapter of the book each day at school after lunch. The story of Fern, the Arables, Templeton and ‘some pig’ called Wilbur is what ignited my lifelong love of children’s literature.
Lana is a children’s author who writes stories that tap into the curious world of children. Her writing has been long-listed in the 2018 Children’s Book Council
of Australia Charlotte Waring Barton Award as part of the Aspiring
Writers Mentorship Award and in competitions such as Creative Kids
Tales, Greenleaf Press and CYA. She is also a children’s book reviewer
with the CBCA’s Reading Time website and
has been invited to present at the 2021 Sydney Writer’s Festival Family
Day. A trained lawyer and marketing manager, Lana now writes for children
from her book-filled home where she lives with her husband, her two book
butterflies and a rescue kitten called Marbles. See www.lanawrites.com for more information. You can read reviews of Lana's picture books here.
