Elizabeth Honey is an award-winning author of poetry, picture books and novels. Her playful humour, originality and energy strike a chord with children everywhere. Elizabeth is also an artist and she illustrates her own books. Her picture books include Not a Nibble!, I'm Still Awake, Still! and That's not a Daffodil! Elizabeth's books are published in many countries around the world.
**Elizabeth's book I'm Still Awake Still, co-written with Sue Johnson is now a stage musical touring Australia in 2014. For details visit the website: stillawakestilltours.net**
What are the best and worst things about being a writer?
‘Best - working at a time and place that suits me, in comfy clothes, no commuting, tasty left- overs for lunch. Another best – the buzz when my writing is going well, the frisson when I’ve done something really good. But the best best would have to be the friends I’ve made, like Heike Brandt, my co-author on To the Boy in Berlin. Heike lives in Berlin and she’s the most honest person I’ve ever met, and very funny.
Worst – procrastinating, not getting out of the house, or enough exercise. Fan-mail is a best and worst thing. It’s wonderful to receive, and I want to reply, but when my top priority is to finish a book it’s put to one side and I feel guilty.’
Of all the books you have written, which is your favourite?
‘The most recent book is always fresh in my mind. Each book reminds me of certain people, places and times. I like all my books. I try to make them as good as I can.’
Of all the characters you have written about, which are your favourites?
‘I like Old Jim in Fiddle-back and Mrs Biddle in The Ballad of Cauldron Bay. Older characters are interesting because they’ve done a lot of living and they know who they are. But I like the wild young ones too: Kate in Remote Man, and Danielle in Stella Street. I sometimes wonder what Jonah in Don't Pat the Wombat is doing. Was he fighting the bushfires? And where is Cleverton from Remote Man studying now? Of course Henni in Stella Street is a good mate.’
What is your favourite food and least favourite food?
'Ripe white peaches that you eat leaning over the sink and a cold crisp apple that goes craaaack! when you bite into it. Fresh flathead fillets lightly fried in breadcrumbs. Least favourite? Luke-warm undercooked greasy chips.'