L.A.’s new book is Cartboy and the Time Capsule and is published by Allen & Unwin
Tell us about you in 25 words or less.
My favorite sandwich is a BLT, but you have to put the mayo on when the toast is hot. I still think farts are funny.
What makes you happy?
Being with Australians.
Where have you always wanted to visit, but haven’t made it to … yet?
Australia. 24-hour flight.
Where is your favourite place to write?
When I write the outline for a book or screenplay, I like to be alone. In a quiet place where I can concentrate. But once I’ve worked out the story, I like to write anywhere – plane, coffee shop, home, living room, bathroom. Somehow I usually end up near the refrigerator.
What’s the best thing about being a published author?
The private jet. Oh wait, that’s James Patterson, not me.
Here’s something that I thought was cool. The other day, my daughter’s friend Curtis was over our house. Cartboy had just been published and I had a box of books in my living room. He brought one home, and according to his mom, didn’t stop reading until he was done. Then he put a photo of the book on Instagram and said “Hey guys, you have to get this book!” I just loved that.
But mostly, I love that my kids could see first-hand what it is like to write and write and write until one day, a publisher buys your book. I think they learned that even though there are a lot of no’s on the way to yes, persistence really does pay off.
What’s the strangest question you’ve ever been asked?
I get a lot of thoughtful and intelligent questions from the kids when I do school readings. Even the third graders have great insight about writing and character development. But they also ask me, “How old are you?” and “How much money do you make?” Hilarious.
Who or what inspires you?
Comedy writing of all kind. Tiny Fey, David Sedaris, David Foster Wallace, Louis C.K., Mindy Kaling. Jeff Kay has one of the funniest blogs out there – The West Virginia Surf Report. I adore him.
What is your worst habit?
Hearing my husband tell a joke, not laughing at his joke, retelling the same joke immediately, and then laughing.
Your favourite word(s) and why?
Diarrhoea. I can’t help it.
Were you a history fan at school?
No. When I was in school, I thought history very very boring. That started to change when I was in my twenties. For some reason, as you get older, history starts to get more interesting – to the point where it’s just about all you want to read. History books, historical novels, non-fiction. I think it’s partly because you start to realize that the people who created history are not all that different from yourself. They are your peers.
Did we forget anything?
I can run the 100-yard dash in 7.3 seconds carrying an egg on a spoon without dropping it.
Just for fun
Tea or coffee? Coffee
Paper books or e-books? Paper
Vegemite or Marmite? No thank you.
Write or type? Type
Poetry or prose? Prose
Beach or bush? Both
Hot or cold? Hot
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