Meet the 2011 Inky Judges: Lucy Christopher
I write books for young adults, and I do lots of other book-related things like lecture about books, judge them, and of course, read them!
Tell us a bit about yourself:
I’ve lived a pretty varied life, having lived in three different countries (two of them twice!) and about twenty four different houses. I started off living in Wales, in the UK, but eventually found myself in Melbourne, Australia, where I went to school and University (and lived most of my life so far!). However, I moved back to Wales to study an MA in Creative Writing at Bath Spa University. And I’m still there (despite initially saying I was only going to stay for a year cos it’s sooo cold!). Doing my MA at Bath Spa is where life really took off for me … well….my writing life anyway. I seriously don’t think I would be a published writer today if it weren’t for this MA. Before this MA, I did stuff like trying to be an actor, a barista, a waitress, and a nature guide. I also wrote my novel, FLYAWAY, while on the MA. My first published novel, STOLEN, won the Gold Inky Award (of which I am extremely proud!), as well as winning the Branford Boase Award and a Michael Printz Honor Award. FLYAWAY is currently shortlisted for the Prime Minister’s Award and earlier this year it was shortlisted for the Costa Book Award. I am now working on my third novel, another thriller for older teens.
Your favourite book as a child?
Probably The Black Stallion by Walter Farley. I loved the idea of being stranded on a beautiful island with a beautiful, wild horse.
What's a book that made you cry?
Before I Die by Jenny Downham had me sobbing in the aisles!
A book that made you laugh?
Tall Story by Candy Gourlay had me chuckling in a good-hearted way.
What are you currently reading?
I’m reading for research for my third book. The novel I’m in the middle of is called War by Sebastian Junger, and is about a journalist’s account of a year spent in the Afghan war.
Have you ever had a crush on a fictional character?
Often! I think I’d marry Peeta from The Hunger Games, though I can think of lots more characters I love too!
What’s your favourite reading place?
On an aeroplane - I never feel like I should be doing anything else! I also like reading in the hot bushveld of South Africa on holiday.
Who is the author you’d most like to meet? (Living or dead)
Tough question. Tim Winton I think!
Favourite book-to-film adaptation?
Lord of the Rings, totally! The Horse Whisperer comes a close second (the ending is actually better in the film!).
On a quiz show, your special subject would be:
Young Adult fiction with an Australian Outback setting (it’s what my PhD thesis was on so I’ve read a lot about it!)
And what are you generally doing when you're not reading?
Writing. Thinking about writing. Stressing about writing. Writing about writing. Or riding my horse.
Where to find Lucy:
- www.lucychristopher.com
- Twitter @LucyCAuthor, or
- fan me on Facebook!
