It is with much delight that My Book Corner welcomes Hazel Edwards. She is obviously well known for her children’s picture book classic, There’s A Hippopotamus On Our Roof Eating Cake. Can you believe it celebrated its 30th birthday in 2011?!
Tell us about you in 25 words or less.
‘There’s a Hippopotamus on our Roof Eating Cake’ series is my best known. I write fact & fiction for all ages. Often co-write. Interested in adventure writing. Went on an Antarctic expedition. Co-writing with son Trevelyan who thought of the original cake-eating hippo 33 years ago. I write a story for each grandson, each birthday.
What makes you happy?
Capturing a quirky idea in words. Creating a new character like Sleuth Astrid the Mind- Reading Chook. Collaborating on a new project with an interesting mind.
Where have you always wanted to visit, but haven’t made it to … yet?
Have already worked in Antarctica as a writer-on-ice. And trekked in Nepal. Maybe the North Pole? Love icebergs because 9/10 in under the surface, just like writing books.
Where is your favourite place to write?
Since I now have various devices with ‘i’ in front of their names, I can work anywhere. But I have a study at home where most of my writing is done.
If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?
Tolerance needed for those who are different.
What’s the best thing about being a published author?
Opportunities to interview intriguing minds and visit unusual places knowing you will write about them afterwards. So you have to really listen and look. I call it participant-observation. Great excuse for travelling.
- Getting interesting fan mail addressed to me or my character is a nice part of being an author. Even getting fan art!
- Opportunities to create fictional worlds like in ‘f2m;the boy within’ which is a coming of age, co-written YA novel about transitioning gender. Imagine if you were a boy but everybody treated you as a girl? This is based on fact and offers readers experience of living as that character for the length of the novel and thinking differently beyond. Also has punk music. My co-author Ryan is an ftm ( female to male) . And was a punk musician.
What’s the strangest question you’ve ever been asked?
Does the cake-eating hippo really live on your roof? My answer was, ‘Have a look.’
Who or what inspires you?
Putting two ideas together in a new combination.
What is your worst habit?
Impatience. But I am persistent. I’m not good at formatting. I think in abstract, not shapes or pictures so my daughter helps me, especially with my website.
Your favourite word(s)?
Serendipity, which means a happy accident of good things coming together.
What’s next for the hippopotamus (does he have a favourite word too?) …
Cake.
Hippo recently starred in a short film by Pocket Bonfire Productions and even screened at the Sydney Opera House. Not on the roof!
Did we forget anything?
My first picture book app ‘Feymouse’ about a large and clumsy cat born into a highly talented family of mice, will be out soon with Blue Quoll.
I get lots of requests from young creators who want help with their stories. So I try to answer the most common questions on my website. There’s fun stuff too, here. I also have a free newsletter and the past copies have writing hints.
Just for fun
Tea or coffee? Coffee or ‘silver tea’ which is hot water.
Paper books or e-books? Read in all formats, but adding e-books to my own website now. Especially mysteries. Listen to audio books while exercising.
Vegemite or Marmite? Vegemite,
Write or type? Both
Poetry or prose? Never poetry, but picture storybook text is condensed writing like poetry.
Beach or bush? Bush, get sunburnt on beach.
Hot or cold? Mid way
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