Name: Margaret Hall
Date of birth: 27 April, 1925
Place of birth: Christchurch
Now living in: Hokitika
- What is your favourite food?
- Pizzas
- Do you have a nickname and if so what is it?
- Margie or Kes
- What was your most embarrassing moment?
- Always early for appointments, I was 45 minutes late for a 30 year reunion, and I was guest of honour!
- How do you relax?
- Reading, walking, bird-watching and gazing at the sea.
- Who inspired you when you were little?
- Arthur Ransome (the author) and the lady editor of The Press (Christchurch newspaper).
- What were you like at school?
- Shy, and with not much confidence.
- What was your favourite/most hated subject at school?
- Favourites: Essay writing (but not English grammar) and Geography.
Hated: English grammar - What was the book you most loved as a child?
- E. Nesbit books.
- Which person from the past would you most like to meet?
- St Francis of Assissi (I'd love to talk to animals and birds).
- Who is your favourite author/children’s author?
- Author: Jane Austen
Children’s author: Diana Noonan and Arthur Ransome - Why did you want to be a writer?
- I enjoyed adventure and animal stories and at 11 years invented my own.
- Do you have a special place where you write your books?
- On the sofa in my lounge during evenings.
- What’s the best thing and worst thing about being a writer?
- Best thing: meeting people who love reading, and those who have enjoyed my books.
Worst thing: finding a publisher to accept my books. - If you weren’t a writer, what would you like to be?
- When I was younger I longed to have a job at sea.
- What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
- Write for yourself and enjoy it. Read the best books such as award finalists. Observe people and scenes and write descriptions. Keep a diary of your thoughts and feelings. Don’t lose heart if your story is rejected several times. "Swag and tucker" was rejected nine times! I am happiest when I am writing.
- Read some books written by Margaret Hall