1. What’s your hidden talent?
Most people wouldn’t know that I sing, or at least I used to. I recorded back-up vocals for a kids’ album when I was eight and my first demo tape when I was 12.
2. Who is your favourite literary villain and why?
The Big Bad Wolf of course. Who else gets to eat both Grandma and the Three Little Pigs in two children’s classics?
3. You’re hosting a literary dinner party, which five authors would you invite? (Alive or dead)
Edgar Allan Poe, Hafez (Persian Poet), Margaret Atwood, Roald Dahl, JK Rowling
4. Which literary invention do you wish was real?
Harry Potter’s Invisibility Cloak! Oh, the mischief and mayhem I would get up to.
5. What are five words that describe your writing process?
Concept. Brain-dump. Procrastinate. Edit. Re-write.
6. Which are the five words you would like to be remembered by as a writer?
Inspirational. Engaging. Funny/Fun. Mindful. Empowering.
7. Picture your favourite writing space. What are five objects you would find there?
The ocean or a pool, my laptop, my headphones (because music), a journal, essential oils, and my favourite crystals.
8. Grab the nearest book, open it to page 22 and look for the second word in the first sentence. Now, write a line that starts with that word. (Please include the name of the book!)
Book: One of us is Lying by Karen McManus
Word: drinks
Sentence: Drinks were served in elegant cocktail glasses; the kind my parents used only on special occasions.
9. If you could ask one author one question, what would the question be and who would you ask?
Author: (Theodore) Dr Seuss
Question: What’s more important? Rhyme or meter and why?
10. Which would you rather do: ‘Never write another story or never read another book’?
That’s tricky. Probably never read another book. Writing for me is an opportunity for self-expression. A moment of silence to clear my thoughts, put ideas to paper, create characters and make new friends that explore new worlds and adventures.
Mary Anastasiou is an Advertising Creative who tells stories through her award-winning marketing campaigns. She’s also a passionate children’s author imagining stories that engage, inspire and empower. Her role as Creative Director for Larrikin House sees her responsible for the creation of all new titles. She works with authors and illustrators to create books that (she hopes) will one day become classics. For more information, see www.lilrebel.com.au.
June 21, 2022 at 12:55AM Penny Harrison
