Fun Q & A with Candice
Ask an author
Do you have any pets?
Yes, I have always owned at least one pet in my life. My dad was always bringing home stray animals when I was a kid so I’ve had dogs, cats, fish, guinea pigs, budgies, rabbits and even a duck. I currently have an Australian Terrier dog named Tiny and my children have a bearded dragon called Toffee.
Our dog Tiny
Where do you get your story ideas?
Most of my story ideas come from something that interests me, or that I care about, or both. It usually begins with a personal experience and then I ask the question, ‘What if?’
What’s your favourite colour?
Red.
The Haunted House
When did you start writing?
I first started writing stories when I was eight years old. I was home sick from school and I wrote a story called, ‘The Haunted House’ and it won a school award. I’ve been writing stories for fun ever since but it wasn’t until I was much older that I studied to become an author.
Do you illustrate your books?
No, the illustrator is chosen by the publisher. That’s very lucky for me because I’m not very skilled at drawing – I’m not even very good at stick figures.
What are your favourite books?
As a child, I loved anything that was a mystery or adventure so I loved the Famous Five, Trixie Belden and Sherlock Holmes stories the most. I still love mysteries as well as fantasy, horror and books that make you think.
What do you like doing when you’re not writing?
I love the water so my favourite activities are swimming, bodyboarding (even though I’m always getting wiped out), snorkelling and kayaking. It’s lucky that I live near the beach!
Are you writing anything else?
I’m still writing more books in the Eco Rangers series at the moment, but after that I don’t know what idea will pop up.
Do you have any advice for people who want to write?
Read heaps, write heaps and get feedback on your writing. Don’t write what you think you should, but what you want to write.
If you could be anything else besides a writer, what would you be?
When I was little I wanted to be a pilot. I’d still like to be able to fly a plane.