Brigid Lowry was born in New Zealand into a rather strange but very creative family. Here she learned a love of books, too many swear words and how to cook a decent omelette. Brigid's early, rather awful poetry was made into a small book by her father, a printer and typographer, and sold to kindly relatives for two and sixpence a copy. Thus her writing career was launched, but it took about twenty years for her to take it to a higher place. In the meantime she tried being a hippie, a waitress, a software tutor, a librarian, a mother, a wife and a primary school teacher.
At the age of thirty five Brigid returned to university and began to publish poetry and short fiction. Her first young adult book was Fizz & Max & Me, which was published in the Dolly Fiction series. As well as teaching her how to write dialogue, this book paid Brigid the grand sum of $3000 and inspired her to apply for an Arts Council Grant for funding to write a second young adult book. With the grant safely in the bank, armed with nothing more than a flimsy idea about a girl who wanted a nose-ring, Brigid wrote Guitar Highway Rose. Constructed in a quirky collage style, this book was a runaway success. It was shortlisted for a number of major prizes in Australia, and won the WA Hoffman Young Readers Choice Award.
Brigid's star sign is Aries, and she has a tattoo of an island, a palm tree and a planet on her left shoulder. She has an MA in Creative Writing and teaches creative writing here and there. Brigid is currently working on a new young adult book and has recently returned to live in her homeland, New Zealand, after living for 27 wonderful years in Australia.
Who or what was the biggest inspiration for you to become a writer?
'Living in a creative household of books with lots of poets and authors visiting was inspiring. I always loved stories. I was read to a lot as a child, and encouraged to read by my parents. I've loved libraries, fairytales, bizarre events and the world of the imagination for as long as I can remember.'
When you're not writing, what do you do?
'I do the things I love doing. These include walking, swimming, cooking, eating, reading, gardening, making mosaics, travelling, shopping in op shops, socializing with my friends, doing my e-mail, and day-dreaming.'
What was your favourite book as a child?
'I loved a children's book called Bunchy, about a girl who visited her grandmother, who had a wonderful china cabinet with magical items in, like a snow dome, a pack of cards, etc. Each chapter of the book was about one of these items coming to life. I also loved a book called Drovers Road about some kids on a south island sheep station in New Zealand. Their names were Gay and Merry and they had rollicking adventures on their horses.'
What are the best and worst things about being a writer?
'The best thing about being a writer is that you can sleep in for as long as you like. You can work your own hours dressed in your purple dressing gown or a daggy old tracksuit, and pop into the kitchen for a snack whenever you want. I also enjoy the fact that going to the library, or asking people nosy questions such as ‘Which TV show do you hate the most?’ counts as research. The worst thing about being a writer is that you have to sit alone in your study for a year at a time wondering if you are writing rubbish and wishing you were out shopping or at the movies. Sometimes it is very lonely and boring being at home every day all alone when you are meant to be writing a book. When no inspiration comes and the work is not flowing it is no fun at all. However, when the writing is going well being a writer seems like the best job in the world and brings me a lot of joy.’
School visits by Brigid in New Zealand can be organised through the New Zealand Book Council. Email: director@bookcouncil.org.nz
School visits within NSW can be organised through Lateral Learning. Email bookings@laterallearning.com.au
School visits by Brigid within VIC can be organised through Booked Out. Email bookings@bookedout.com.au
For enquiries about school visits in other Australian states, email publicity@allenandunwin.com and your request will be forwarded to the author.
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