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Frequently Asked Questions
What are your main interests?
Writing, reading, wildlife, nature, animal behaviour, pets, zoos, human nature, travel, Eastern philosophies, ‘Star Wars’ movies and ‘The Lord of the Rings’ (the novel, PJ’s movies and the BBC audio tapes).
What is your earliest memory involving animals?
It was not very auspicious. I was about three years old when I was chased up a tree by a ferocious bantam rooster. It seemed like I was stuck up that tree for hours before my mum came to rescue me.
When did you know you wanted to write?
I was in year 7 (the first year of secondary school) when I won first prize in a school poetry competition. It gave me some valuable encouragement.
What have been the highlights of your life with respect to nature experiences?
I once assisted a Ph.D. student with her field work on an Australian Fur Seal colony in a restricted-access area on Kangaroo Island (South Australia). We camped out for two weeks, braving the elements and living rough; just three young women and a few hundred seals. It was magical.
Being a zookeeper had many perks. One was visiting a colleague at another zoo, where I had the chance to “play” with a young lion he was hand-raising. I quickly found out who was playing with whom!
Over the course of my travels, I have been privileged to see many wild and natural places. I particularly loved Etosha National Park and visiting a Himba tribe in Namibia (Africa), trekking through the Annapurna Mountains in Nepal and sailing the Mekong River in Vietnam.
How can I become a zoologist or zookeeper (and what is the difference)?
A zoologist is a university-trained scientist, who generally conducts research in a laboratory, the field, or both.
Budding zoologists need good grades at high school to get into a Science course at University, and have lots of study ahead of them.
A zookeeper has usually studied a trade-level course through TAFE (that’s “Technical and Further Education” for you non-locals!). A zookeeper is responsible for feeding the animals in a zoo, closely monitoring their health and wellbeing, and making their environment a positive one.
Budding zookeepers are encouraged to volunteer at their local Zoo over holiday periods, or sometimes work experience can be organised through school. It is a great way to become familiar with the work involved (some of it is far from glamorous!) and to establish a good reputation in the industry.
What are your sources of inspiration as a writer?
Everyday life. Of course, there are some days when inspiration definitely does not take hold. On those days my "writing time" can be more than filled by routine tasks such as the preparation of submission and query letters, answering emails, requesting a review, and/or editing various works-in-progress. I think that this “nuts and bolts” work still very much counts as writing, and certainly needs to be done! I don’t force myself to do creative writing every day. My opinion is that forcing it kills it. I often find that, as soon as the pressure to write is off, the ideas come involuntarily anyway. I jot them down as they come in a notebook that I keep handy specifically for this purpose (ideas rarely arrive at a convenient time, especially when you have a toddler in tow!). I refer to the notebook when starting new projects, or adding new points and ideas to a work-in-progress.
My main source of inspiration is my 4-year-old daughter. Watching her and talking with her gives me many of my ideas, and allows me a real insight into a child's thoughts and thought processes. We also read together a lot, which gives me the opportunity to analyse the books we like, and why I think they work - or don't work.
Can you name some of your favourite children's picture books?
"Close Your Eyes" by Kate Banks, illustrated by Georg Hallensleben, 2002, Frances Foster Books.
"Down by the Cool of the Pool" by Tony Mitton, illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees, 2001, Orchard Books.
"Pog and the Birdies" by Jane Simmons, 2005, Orchard Books.
"Some Dogs Do" by Jez Alborough, 2003, Walker Books.
Why do you ask?
What advice can you give to other aspiring writers?
I am very much a student of this craft and would not presume to advise other aspiring writers, but I will say that there is heaps of useful advice on other authors’ web pages. See my Links section if you need a place to start.
Has anyone ever really asked you any of these questions?
My, is that the time? I must dash.
