2. What is your nickname?
My husband calls me by my maiden name, Holdsworth. Lots of friends have called me that over the years come to think of it. I’m quite cheeky so perhaps they’re just keeping me in line. I’m also ecstatic to be called mummy; that’s the best.
My husband calls me by my maiden name, Holdsworth. Lots of friends have called me that over the years come to think of it. I’m quite cheeky so perhaps they’re just keeping me in line. I’m also ecstatic to be called mummy; that’s the best.
3. What is your greatest fear?
Same as all parents I expect - something happening to my children. I’ve never been worried about myself.
4. Describe your writing style in 10 words.
Banter. Funny, honest conversations between characters you feel you know.
Banter. Funny, honest conversations between characters you feel you know.
5. Tell us five positive words that describe you as a writer.
Passionate, well-intentioned, irreverent, happy, grateful.
6. What book character would you be, and why?
Circe, the Greek goddess who gets in trouble for being sincere and is banished to a remote island as punishment but discovers she actually quite likes being alone and gardening. I’m laughing as I write this - what a crazy old crone I am.
7. If you could time travel, what year would you go to and why?
1889. Jules Verne has written Around the World in Eighty Days and it set the Victorian world alight. It was a time of momentous innovation and global travel and a journalist called Nellie Bly decides to beat Phileas Fogg’s journey time and she does in 72 days! I would have loved to be her companion.
8. What would your 10-year-old self say to you now?
You’re so lucky you don’t have to go to school. Or watch Top Gear.
9. Who is your greatest influence?
Everyone who soldiers on whilst still being kind. Whenever I encounter one of those people it reminds me what it’s all about. A waitress gave me an extra biscuit with my tea yesterday and it really influenced the mood of my day.
Everyone who soldiers on whilst still being kind. Whenever I encounter one of those people it reminds me what it’s all about. A waitress gave me an extra biscuit with my tea yesterday and it really influenced the mood of my day.
10. What/who made you start writing?
Going to an academic girls’ school where we were all being educated to be lawyers and doctors and I failed at everything. Except writing, that was where I excelled and where I could escape Latin and algebra.
11. What is your favourite word and why?
It’s two words and inappropriate, but whenever my kids or I say ‘bum cheeks’ we fall over laughing. Interestingly ‘bum’ doesn’t have the same effect, it needs the cheeks.
12. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
My daughter and I are currently reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and neither of us want it to end.
Lucy Hawkins is an Australian artist and debut author based in Victoria. The Salvager's Quest (RRP $16.99) is available now, online and in all good bookstores. You can visit her website at https://www.lucyhawkinsart.com.