When you're a dweeb, when you're really young, it stands out. But as everybody gets older and more conservative, it's not an issue any more.

I write books for all age groups - young kids, teenagers and adults - because I get a range of different ideas.

I always had a soft spot for Sherlock Holmes and used to imagine helping him out.

I was lucky enough to be a child during the renaissance of Australian children's literature, when people like Ivan Southall, Colin Thiele, Lilith Norman and Wrightson were pumping out hugely inspiring stuff.

Mostly I wanted to be a writer, though for a couple of years there I wanted to be an animator, because I loved drawing and capturing beautiful movements.

The fact that I ended up married to a decent man is still a source of amazement to me, thanks to 'The Women's Room.'