About author Sue Lawson

Stories have always played an enormous role in the life of Australian young adult and junior fiction writer Sue Lawson. In this photo with her grandfather, Rugerio Rizzo, along with her favourite teddy, she’s also holding a book. A very common sight in many photos of Sue as a child.

But there’s a lot more to Sue than stories. Here’s a stack of random information about her. And if you’d like to know more, remember you can always contact Sue Lawson to ask questions.

I grew up …

on a farm in Western Victoria, the eldest of four children. I loved farm life – except for working with the cattle. Books and stories were a huge part of my life. My grandmother was an English teacher and my grandfather and father constantly told stories. Whenever I could, I’d be lost in a book.

At school I …

loved writing and reading. Maths…not so much! I also loved art, but I wasn’t very good at it. Still am not, but I like to potter. Apart from reading and writing, my other major skills at school were talking and laughing! Loudly apparently. That is a skill I retained.

When I was a child I wanted to be …

a writer, a teacher or a trainer with Collingwood Football Club. So far I’ve been a writer and teacher – now for Collingwood!

After I left school, I …

went to Aquinas College in Ballarat and studied teaching. I taught for three years in Melbourne then moved to Warrnambool to work in radio. Radio was a hoot. I returned to teaching when my daughter started school. All up I taught for about 15 years, and worked in radio for about 18 years. I’ve also taught swimming, worked in a gift shop and at the MCG.

My favourite books as a child were …

A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L’Engle
Hill’s End by Ivan Southall
The Outsiders by S.E Hinton
Catcher In The Rye by JD Salinger
Displaced Person by Lee Harding
The Hobbit by JRR Tolkein
Farewell to Shady Glade by Bill Peet

My favourite quote is …

from Lord of the Rings. ‘All we have to do is decide what to do with the time that is given us.’ Gandalf to Frodo.

My first published work was …

junior fiction novel Dragon’s Tear. My best friend told me the main character, Cam, was very like me. Dragon’s Tear sold out before the book launch.

The best thing about being a writer is …

everything! I love the thrill of developing an idea into a story and creating new characters. The research for any project is totally absorbing and often sparks other book and story ideas. But my very favourite part of the process is editing. That’s where the magic happens.

My favourite books include …

Lord of the Rings (all three)
Anything by Helen Garner. Actually I’d read her shopping list.
Most of Tim Winton’s books.
Anything by Scot Gardner. The Dead I Know is still my favourite
The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flannigan
Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
Still Life by Sarah Winman
Lenny’s Book of Everything by Karen Foxlee
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

Ten Quick Things …

I love whales and dolphins and never miss a chance to go on a whale watching tour.
I also have a thing for birds. Pardalotes, Hooded Plovers and Peregrine Falcons especially.
In 1989 I became ABC Radio’s first female breakfast announcer. I did not love the early mornings!
I love Australian music, especially Midnight Oil. The Hoodoo Gurus, Powderfinger and The Sunnyboys are also favourites.
I worked part-time at the MCG for three years.
If I need to think, recharge or solve a problem with my work, I’ll head to the beach, no matter the weather.
I love comedy, especially Monty Python, Lano and Woodley and Shaun Micallef.
I’m a Collingwood tragic. Enough said.
I can knit up a storm, but can barely sew.
Snakes terrify me! And by terrify, I mean TERRIFY me.