Who is Anne Brinsden?
I’m a Melbourne based, mostly country lived writer. I am an avoider of cooking but a staunch lover of food – it is a constant predicament. I have a nice, sporadically arranged collection of beautiful hat blocks at my place. Because if you want to get ahead then get a hat.
What would you do differently to what you do now?
I would have worn a hat when my mother told me to and not got the skin full of freckles she warned me about. And I would not have locked my brothers in the outside laundry and told them they had to stay there for the night.
Who inspires you and why?
Tim Winton because he is brave enough to write an entire amazing piece of literature from a ‘what if?’ musing about something. And the Bronte family – those sisters and their books! And their father who fought doggedly for the closure of open sewers against the skeptics who said open sewage had nothing to do with ill health.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Write like your story has hope even if your story has sadness and pain. Because hope makes the difference.
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Lough Rea in Ireland. It’s where my Irish ancestors came from. You can circumnavigate the well there on your knees seven times and all will be healed. So it’s there. Actually its anywhere really. I am a travel tragic.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
I would take them to my local independent art deco Sun Theatre and Sun Bookshop in Yarraville. Because they are both amazing. And I would walk them through the local park and past the Trugo club rooms because who’s even heard of Trugo and what it stands for in Australian working class legendry these days? I wouldn’t drive them over the Westgate Bridge though because I could just say ‘look over there… There it is!’
What are you currently reading?
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman and The Invitation by Belinda Alexandra. I am then going to read Salt by Bruce Pascoe. I used to only read one book at a time. But I realise I don’t have enough time for that anymore and the books just keep piling up and I truly don’t want to be that person who was killed because the mountain of unread books on their bedside table toppled over on them in the middle of the night and killed them.
What are you currently listening to?
Gerry Rafferty’s Baker Street. The entire album. I can’t give it up. And La Boheme. Because I am going to see it in Vienna in December.
Happiness is?
The joy of having my book published. And seeing the people I love truly flourish. Mr Spock was right: Live long and prosper: Peace and long life.
What does the future hold for you?
Lots of writing and lots of travel and lots of time with family and friends. I am looking forward to completing my second novel and having that published later next year. I think the future holds good for me.
Anne is the Author of Wearing Paper Dresses – which is published by Pan Macmillan Australia and is available from all leading book retailers including Booktopia. For more information about Anne, visit: www.annebrinsden.com for details.
Image: Anne Brinsden (supplied)