Interviews with NZ Children’s Authors

PhotoName: Raymond Huber
Date of birth: 30 January 1958
Place of birth: Christchurch
Now living in: Dunedin

What is your favourite food?
Golden honey from my bees.
Do you have a nickname and if so what is it?
No, but I've been likened to comics characters — Tintin (it’s the hair) and Calvin’s dad (the bike helmet and glasses).
What was your most embarrassing moment?
When a teacher dragged me off stage in our high school talent show — he said I was ‘showing off’.
How do you relax?
Sculpting limestone while listening to scratchy 20 Solid Gold Hits LPs from the 1970s.
Who inspired you when you were little?
Doctor Who — I dreamed about having adventures like his. Also my teachers at Thorrington School were wonderful.
CoverWhat were you like at school?
A bit shy, a bit worried, but I had a sense of humour that made it a bit of fun.
What was your favourite/most hated subject at school?
I loved science and drama, and found PE painful (it was always cold).
What was the book you most loved as a child?
Calico the Wonder Horse (The Saga of Stewy Stinker) by Virginia Lee Burton — you’ll laugh, you’ll gasp, you’ll cry!
Which person from the past would you most like to meet?
Myself as a school boy. I’d tell me not to worry so much.
Who is your favourite author/childrens author?
Children’s author? Tove Jansson (Moomin books); and I love adult author Penelope Todd (so I married her).
Why did you want to be a writer?
Because I have so many ideas in my brain which need to find a home. And I love reading.
Do you have a special place where you write your books?
No, I work in the living room, sandwiched between the TV, book shelf, and cat on a beanbag.
DunedinWhat’s the best thing and worst thing about being a writer?
Worst is not enough time; best is when I first see a copy of my book arriving in the letterbox.
If you weren’t a writer, what would you like to be?
A film maker.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Read great books. Write down your dreams (both sorts). Be persistent one day you will be published.

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