Place of birth: Middlesex, England. Came to Australia
as a 10 pound migrant.
Lives in: Warrnambool, on the Victorian coast.
Favourite food: Bread and Butter Pudding.
Favourite word: 'Jingoes' (I can't stop saying
it)
Favourite childeren's authors: When
I was young: Richmal Crompton who wrote the 'William' books. I still havesome
of them and I still think they are funny. My favourite living children's
author is Leon Garfield.
Things I enjoy: The quiet of the Australian bush.
A good book to read in a warm bed. A sit around the fire on a cold night
with a few friends. Looking at the ocean. Hot chocolate with melted marshmallows
on top.
Things I don't like: helocopters, noisy people,
queues, snobs.
Advice to young writers: Don't give up. I had
my first rejection slip when I was 16. I was so hurt that I didn't try
again until I was nearly 40. I wish now that I hadn't been so thin-skinned
all of those years ago.