Heath McKenzieWhere were you born? Where do you live now?Melbourne — aaaaand Melbourne!
Where did you go to school?Glen Waverley Primary and Secondary followed by Deakin University.
Did you have a nickname?
Not that I’m aware of!
What were you like in school?Kind of quiet, fairly shy, fairly unconfident! Y’know, the usual stuff!
What is the naughtiest thing you did?
So many things, it’s hard to choose just one!
What was your favourite book growing up?They varied over the years but I have specifically fond memories of
My Cat Likes To Hide In Boxes. I’ve no idea what amused me so much particularly — but amuse me it did!
Who is your favourite children’s author?Oliver Jeffers or Lauren Child ... or I could go on!
What is your favourite food/colour/movie?Food: a good hearty pie!
Colour: ... not really sure.
Movie:
Shaun of the Dead.
Who inspired you to write/illustrate? I’ve always loved drawing so it just sort of began when I was little and carried on from there — numerous things have helped influence me on the way — often movies.
How did you get started?
Professionally — by getting my folio out there and someone kindly offering me a job eventually!
How old were you?About 26, I think!
Why did you want to be a writer/illustrator?
See ‘who inspired you to write/illustrate’ for details!
How do you think up ideas?No idea! They just sort of appear — sometimes a situation may spark an idea or the things around me, music has been helpful quite often. Illustrating-wise, I always end up including things around me, in my house, things from my past or things I love.
Do you have a special place where you write/illustrate?I have an office at the end of the hallway which is really quite full of books and toys and other odds and ends ... it will only fill more and more as time goes by!
What is the best thing about being a writer/illustrator?Being able to write and draw all sorts of things — project to project I get to hop into completely different worlds and places.
Have you had any funny or embarrassing moment as a writer/illustrator?None that spring to mind!
What do you do when you are not writing/illustrating?
I help raise my daughter, walk the dog, read, watch movies and cook all manner of things (sometimes successfully, occasionally not!).
What would you have chosen to be if you were not a writer/illustrator?Hmm ... tricky question ... something to do with movies
— maybe makeup effects — that’d be fun!
Which famous person from the past would you like to talk to?That’s a fairly huge question - the mind boggles with possibilities ... to the point I’ve gone blank!
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about yourself?Probably best I don’t!
Website/blog detailswww.heathmck.com