Interview with author and illustrator Ben Galbraith
Name: Ben Galbraith
Date of birth: 26/08/1980
Place of birth: Gisborne, NZ
Now living in: Gisborne
- What is your favourite food?
- Spagetti Bolagnaise
- Do you have a nickname and if so what is it?
- My friends call me Maggot (I think its because Ive got white hair and pale skin)
- What was your most embarrassing moment?
- Ive got heaps of them. When I was in Christchurch for a book signing, I was so nervous that I signed all the books with the wrong year!
- How do you relax?
- Surfing is really good. When Im out in the surf all my stress washes away.
- Who inspired you when you were little?
- Clive Kelly, Peter Ireland (both artists) Bob Hansen, Gearge Walford (teachers) My parents collected art too, so I grew up with art all around me which inspired me.
- What were you like at school?
- I was quiet (I think) Maybe a little bit cheeky. I was always one of the smallest in my class
- What was your favourite/most hated subject at school?
- I always loved art. I used to plead with our teacher to let us draw more. I never really liked maths. Maths was boring!
- What was the book you most loved as a child?
- According to my mother (she knows best) my favourite book was “Mog The Forgetful Cat” by Judith Kerr and “Rosies Walk” by Pat Hutchins.
- Which person from the past would you most like to meet?
- I reckon Dr Seuss would be an interesting person to meet
- Who is your favourite author/childrens author?
- Roald Dahl
- Why did you want to be a writer?
- I didnt really plan to be a writer, it kind of just happened.
- Do you have a special place where you write and illustrate your books?
- Ive got a smelly, dark little room in the basement of our house where I keep my computer. It has all kinds of interesting bits and peices stuck to the wall which help inspire me.
- Whats the best thing and worst thing about being a writer or illustrator?
- The best thing about being a writer and illustrator is seeing my books published. I also like reading them to kids. The worst is how long they take to get published!
- If you werent a writer, what would you like to be?
- Im not sure. My father was a carpenter, so maybe I would have followed in his foot steps
What advice would you give to aspiring writers or illustrators?- Some good advice for aspiring illustrators would be to draw as much as you can. Draw from real life subjects rather than photographs and magazines. For Authors Id say read, read, read!
Awards
Ben's book The Three Fishing Brothers Gruff was nominated as a finalist in the Picture Book category in the New Zealand Post Book Awards for Children and Young Adults 2007, and won the Best First Book Award. It also won the Russell Clark Award in September 2007.