Randa Abdel-Fattah

My latest book is Ten Things I Hate About Me (to be released September 2006)

It’s about a Lebanese Muslim girl who is extremely confused and embarrassed by her heritage and thinks that that the only way she can fit in is by denying her background and imitating her peers. Consequently, she dyes her hair blonde, wears blue contact lenses, Anglicises her Arabic name and keeps who identity an absolute secret to her friends and classmates. This is a book about a girl who, in the face of a school plagued by racial tensions, copes by withdrawing to the safety of anonymity.

The best thing about being a writer is creative power. Every character, scene, dialogue and plot is my own creation.

If I wasn’t a writer I’d be incomplete. It’s something I’ve wanted to be ever since I started writing about the adventures of my Barbie doll in primary school. Having said that, I am also a lawyer. I find the demarcation nicely balances the imaginary from the real.

My first published work was called A Walk In The Clouds. I wrote it when I was 14 years old and entered it into a short story competition run by some Victorian education group (I can’t even remember who). It was published in a magazine compilation of the winning entries. My parents were so proud that they bought me a typewriter. When I opened it up they had typed out a short note: To Randa, The Future Author. Yes, pretty sentimental but I’ll never forget it.

Morning person or night-owl? Night-owl. I like writing in a dimly-lit room with my favourite songs playing in the background. Of course, since having my baby, I’ve had to compromise and grab any chance I can get. That means she sometimes lies in her rocker under the desk and I type away as I rock her. 

My first job was behind the counter at a chicken and chip shop in a shopping complex. I can still remember the smell of the oil (yuk) and the cleaning products we used to wipe the front counters. Ugh! I’ll never fold another serviette again!

On a quiz show, my special subject would be celebrity diets. Atkins, The Zone, Blood type- you name it I know who’s been on it. And yes I admit that this is SAD but I owe it to an annual subscription to a tabloid magazine offered to me for filling out some mindless survey at a shopping centre.

My last holiday was last month. England, Egypt, Dubai, Jordan. I’m having withdrawal symptoms. I just love traveling.

My perfect Saturday is lots of sunshine, the smell of freshly cut lawn, a picnic next to the water with my husband and baby (which must include Tim Tams and BBQ flavoured chips) followed by dinner with friends.

The last CD I bought was... I can’t even remember! I’ve become a Limewire addict.

I’m currently reading... I’ve just started The Map of Love by Ahdaf Soueif.

Big Brother or Australian Idol? Australian Idol (although I’d rather change nappies than watch either).
 
Favourite film/tv show... Ooh this is hard! Impossible to narrow down. It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World, Gone With The Wind, The Usual Suspects, Billy Elliot, Before Sunrise, Finding Nemo. ANY movie starring Johnny Depp or Colin Firth. I could go on and on. As for TV shows: Desperate Housewives, The Biggest Loser and The Office (BBC).

My favourite book is Pride & Prejudice

The book character I would most like to meet is... AGH! Another tough one. I’ll give you three: Elizabeth Bennet, Atticus Finch and The BFG.

The book character I would least like to meet is Mr and Mrs Twit

The worst thing I’ve ever written is a story about stealing my sister’s Barbie doll which also featured a giant cockroach and flying milk bar.

When I was growing up I wanted to be a writer and lawyer. They’ve always been life-long dreams. 

My heroes are people who dedicate their lives to the protection of human rights. In particular, Hanan Ashrawi and all the other Palestinian human rights activists who still retain hope and optimism that their dream for freedom will be met, despite the brutalities of occupation and the seeming hopelessness of the situation.