Each birthday as a child, I would wish for a piglet as I blew out my candles. (I never got one).
2. What is your nickname?
Ames. My husband calls me Chingo, which is a play on my middle name and maiden name. In high school, I was briefly called Shaggy after a particularly bad hair cut.
3. What is your greatest fear?
Time moving too quickly! The years keep coming and they don’t stop coming…
4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
Whimsical, rhyming, sweet and takes me a really long time!
5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Considered, lyrical, emotive, determined, inquisitive.
6. What book character would you be, and why?
I’d love to be a mix of Madeline and Pippi Longstocking. I love that they are both free-spirited, adventurous, with a rebellious streak. And redheads!
7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
Out of pure curiosity, I would travel 50-100 years into the future to see how we are faring as a planet. Hopefully, I would be pleasantly surprised.
8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
She would probably say that it’s pretty cool we finally started writing, but also super disappointing we didn’t pursue that dream of being a physiotherapist for the Fremantle Dockers.
9. Who is your greatest influence?
In life: My parents and husband, who are infinitely selfless and hardworking. For writing: My daughters provide endless inspiration with their quirky observations. The works of Julia Donaldson, Lynley Dodd and Davina Bell are my favourite writing influences.
10. What/who made you start writing?
I always dreamed of being an author, but never attempted writing stories until my daughters were born and I was inspired to write tales for them. I was drawn to write in rhyme and that is still my preference.
11. What is your favourite word and why?
Whimsical. I love the way it sounds and how it conjures images of magic, forests, starlight and all things impossible.
12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Charlotte’s Web by EB White. I adore this book and feel that its themes are universal and timeless.
Amy Dunjey hails from Perth, Western Australia, where she lives with her husband and twin daughters. She loves writing in rhyme and her background in speech pathology has driven her passion for early literacy. Amy’s debut picture book is Dancing with Dragons, illustrated by Jesus Lopez and published by Larrikin House. For more information, see www.amydunjey.com.
