Name: Jeannie McLean
Date of birth: 28.05.1952
Place of birth: Cowra, Australia
Now living in: Auckland, New Zealand
- What is your favourite food?
- Lamb chops, strawberries (not together).
- Do you have a nickname and if so what is it?
- When I was at school, one friend always called me 'Mac'
- What was your most embarrassing moment?
- If I say, early teens, trying to impress a young man, halter neck dress and no bra, does that give you a clue?
- How do you relax?
- Reading , movies, walking, gardening
- Who inspired you when you were little?
- My mum, and at high school, teachers who took an interest and encouraged me.
- What were you like at school?
- Talkative, interested, involved.
- What was your favourite/most hated subject at school?
- Favourite English and History; the one I struggled with Maths (but I went on to pass Statistics 1 at Uni)
- What was the book you most loved as a child?
- Black Beauty
- Which person from the past would you most like to meet?
- Jane Austen
- Who is your favourite author/children’s author?
- Maurice Gee
- Why did you want to be a writer?
- I grew up in a family of readers who enjoyed words. My English teacher encouraged me to enter a short story contest which I won. Then, I thought it was possible to be a writer.
- Do you have a special place where you write your books?
- I am fortunate now, to have my own writing room. It is set up with a new computer, a large bookshelf and a couch for those thinking moments. Before that the kitchen table.
What’s the best thing and worst thing about being a writer?- The best thing living lots of different lives in my head. The worst thing it is hard work.
- If you weren’t a writer, what would you like to be?
- A very good singer.
- What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
- If you want to write, then write. Believe you can do it.