Interviews with NZ Children's Authors: Phyllis Johnston - Kids

Name: Phyllis Johnston

Date of birth: 14 October 1935

Place of birth: Morrinsville

Now living in: Tauranga

What is your favourite food?: Bread, fruit
Do you have a nickname and if so what is it?: No
What was your most embarrassing moment?: Mispronouncing antipodes - I called it anti-podes.
How do you relax?: Walking, reading
Who inspired you when you were little?: The stories of my parents
What were you like at school?: Average. I didn't listen at times, thought of other things, and missed important parts.
What was your favourite/most hated subject at school?: Favourite: English. Loved that.
Most hated: Maths. I never grasped it. Knew my times tables.
What was the book you most loved as a child?: Caddie Woodlawn, by Carol Ryrie Brink.
Which person from the past would you most like to meet?: My English teachers from High School.
Who is your favourite author/children's author?: I enjoy too many to count!
Why did you want to be a writer?: I cannot specifically say. I just had a writer's 'eye' and 'ear'.
Do you have a special place where you write your books?: Yes. I now have a study, but wrote my first four books on the dining-room table.
What's the best thing and worst thing about being a writer?: The best thing is about being able to create.
The worst thing is trying to get published.
If you weren't a writer, what would you like to be?: An artist - a French Impressionist artist - and an opera singer.
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?: To keep a diary, try and write most days and never give up!!