I was wondering if you could write a little about your academic career? I want to be a writer, but am considering doing a PHD while I try, so I was curious how you found it? Also, just out of interest, where did you study?

Thanks, look forward to more of your work in the future.

Ha! Would depend on your mood I guess. If your list works for you then go for it.

Ruth: Good luck!

Casey: How old were you when you started writing? When did you know you wanted to be a writer??

I was little. I was telling stories before I could write them down. I’ve always wanted to be a writer.

I know, this is too lengthy, so just delete it, but write it I must; I don’t like cars, either. That’s why I have this old, really well-kept little truck. I am an old lady (well, not that old) but, I can’t get around very well. I do intend to keep writing. Never have I been rejected because I’ve never been brave enough to let anyone see, much less read my stuff, not since sixth grade. Come to think of it, I won an award for that essay.

I like all colors, also, except for puke-green. The yellow has a place in some quilts, but not puke-green. Go ahead and wipe me out, I won’t know. Don’t hurt my feelings by telling me you’re shooting me down, though. I really am going to read your books – and bookmark this page.

Oh, pooh! I just started my pitiful little blog – it’s harder than it looks. Google won’t let me get away with much. And I did start in 2010. I lost it and only ran across it little over a month ago.

No.1: Headstrong by Trapt
No.2: The Banana Splits theme (Dickies)

No.3: Holiday by GreenDay
No.4: Bjork “Army of me” Sucker Punch Remix
No.5: We Will Rock you by Queen

No.6:Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne
No.7: American Idiot by GreenDay
No.8: I love Rock ‘n Roll Jaon Jett
Allrighty, please tell me what you think!

If you don’t drive cars how do you guys get around the city? taxis? chauffeur?

Mostly we walk. But we also take the subway and buses and taxis when we have to.

Did you encounter any problems along the way in your relationship?

Nope. Never. It’s all been perfect.

So you guys never live in the winter? So its summer year long for you guys?

Yup. The only cold I deal with is AC.

Did you get your interview with Daniel Keyes?

I did not.

Briefly, what are the major differences between Sydney an Nyc? I am from Sydney and was just wondering how someone who had lived in both places would see it.

Eight years ago I wrote at length on this very question. My answer is pretty much the same now.

Love your books btw

Thank you!

My favourite book right now is Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves. I hope you like it too.

I’m not sure if I’ve always hated cars. There have always been some cars that I like the look of. Cars from the 1920s-30s are dead pretty. And I’ve always had a fondness for old Citroëns especially the ones that look like pregnant platypuses. I just don’t like being in cars very much. I get carsick over long distances and I don’t like the smell of petrol (gas). I find it an unpleasant way to travel. I vastly prefer walking, cycling, trains, ocean liners and airships. Also the horrendous numbers of people who are killed each year by cars makes me wish we were not so dependent on them.

We are lucky enough to earn enough money from writing to support ourselves comfortably. When I say lucky I mean extremely lucky because, yes, it is very hard to make a living from writing novels. Most of the published writers I know have a day job in order to support their writing habit.

Before I became a full-time writer I had loads of other jobs. I think it’s best to plan on a different career. For instance, I was an academic because I figured that would give me time to write on the side and during the summer holidays. That way you have a way to support yourself. You can still write and if your writing does really well than you can become a full-time writer. That’s what pretty much every full-time writer I’ve ever known did. Vanishingly few writers go straight into a full-time career as a writer.

P.S.
Yes, the name is a nickname for Elisabeth. No, no one calls me anything other than Bitsy. Ain’t it grand?

Ellen: Me and Scott have totally different accounts of how we met. You can read them here.

Bella: Thank you. We’re both thrilled.

My favourite place to write is at home. But I don’t live with 12 people. When it was trickier to write at home I used to retreat to Mitchell Library in the city. I just loved the oldness of it. The wooden desks. The shelves of books going up and up. The domed roof. But basically any library is pretty good. Good luck!

Jon: I do know John Green. All YA authors know each other.

Thanks for the boot love. They are my most favourite things in the entire universe.

Do you know John Green? I can’t help but think I’ve seen your names together somewhere. John’s a great author as well, and I’m not sure if I’m just imagining the connection. I believe he lived in New York for quite a while before moving away, and maybe you met him there or something. Or, like I said, maybe I’m just imagining it. Regardless, I felt I should ask the question, lest it keep me up deep into the hours of the night.

In addition, the boots in the picture at the top of this page are brilliant.

I have no idea how many frequent flyer points I have. I use them all upgrading to business class.

I’ve always written stories. From the minute I was able to write. Before that I told stories.

I went about getting published by writing a lot and sending it out and being rejected a lot. It took me twenty years before I was finally published. You can read more about that here and here.

(exits, clanking and whirring)