John Marsden
Which character from a book would you most like to meet or to be?
Max, in Where the Wild Things Are. He seems to be having a pretty outrageous time. Plus he scores a supper at the end of the book.
Where is the best place to read a book?
Nothing beats bed. Second choice is on a plane, on a long trip.
What were you like at school?
Oh gosh, that's a complicated question. When I liked the teacher and/or the subject, I worked pretty well and was successful. When I didn't like the teacher and/or the subject, I did terrible things. This accounts for my long string of F's in high school science, and similar grades in many of my maths classes. It also accounts for the fact that I was generally quite a star in English!
What are your hobbies?
Reading, watching junk television, watching rugby, bushwalking, just hanging out with people.
Do you have any pets or kids?
I have a small dog called Coco, whom I adopted when she was dumped in a town about 50 km north of where I live. I've had to put a tag on her collar stating "I am not cute", because people seem unable to come up with any other adjective for her. But she is pretty damn cute.
What is your most treasured possession?
Nothing really. The great actress Mae West once said "Never cry over anything that can't cry over you." So I don't get too attached to possessions, although, having said that, I quite value my notebook computer.
What book would you take to a deserted island?
Probably something by Carl Jung, the great Swiss philosopher and psychologist. He must have been about the wisest guy of the 20th century.
Your words of wisdom to students completing the Premier's Reading Challenge?
At least half the knowledge I have of life and people and myself has come from reading.
For more information see John's website (www.johnmarsden.com.au)
Have you read this?
Killer MacKenzie