I was kicked out of the school choir in primary school as my music teacher informed me I didn’t have the voice (which is why I write and don’t sing).
2. What is your nickname?
My family call me Bel, and my friends, teammates and work colleagues call me Izzy.
3. What is your greatest fear?
Coming across a snake.
4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
Personally connected with strength from family, culture and language.
5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Curious, sensitive, humble, passionate, honest
6. What book character would you be, and why?
Little Miss Busy. I am always doing something, even when I say I’m not going to do anything else, I’m taking a break, I always find something!
7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
1990, when I was 15 years old. I was busy with school, playing sport that I never gave it a thought that my two Nans would one day pass away. So I would love to be able to go back to being in my mid teens and make spending time with my Nans more of a priority. I know there is so much I didn’t get to learn from them or ask them. They were amazing women, who passed on love, strength and courage, if only there was more time.
8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
So, an author hey! Would never have guessed that one. What happened to playing hockey for Australia? At least one of them made us famous!
9. Who is your greatest influence?
My parents. They are the most caring, humble, strong people I know. My success is all thanks to them.
10. What/who made you start writing?
I loved writing (and reading) in primary school. It was something that I found enjoyable, yet my siblings found boring. It was during Covid and in lockdown that I was putting my feelings and thoughts down on paper; a way to stay connected to family, places and things that I found myself disconnected from.
11. What is your favourite word and why?
Nedingar, my Ancestors guided me to here, I am on this journey for them.
12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
It just can’t be one, sorry! There are too many books by Aboriginal authors that I just love reading, over and over again, or it may be the illustrations that I love looking at, over and over again.
Isobel Bevis is Wilman, Ballardong currently living on Bindjareb boodja with her husband and three daughters. She was raised in a large Noongar family, growing up on Wilman boodja with strong connections to Minningup where her Ancestors are resting. Nedingar is Isobel’s first children’s bilingual book. For more information, see www.fremantlepress.com.au/contributor/isobel-bevis/.