Who is Julianne Negri?
I’m predominantly a storyteller. At the moment, I write books for children, but I have been a film maker and a musician. Essentially, it’s all telling stories and connecting to people. But I do like writing books. I am also a library worker, craft tinkerer, and mother to five amazing people.
What would you do differently from what you do now?
Sometimes I wish I had pursued more formal academic education, especially in history and literature. Most of all, I wish I had trusted my creative instincts and been more ambitious at pushing my ideas. Second guessing yourself makes for slow progress.
Who inspires you and why?
People who stand up for others. People who build community. You know, there is a chef in Gaza, Mona Zahed, who has lost so much, but still wrote and published a cookbook with 100% of the proceeds going back to her community? She runs a school from her tent. Can you imagine having the strength to that? You can get her book Tabkha from Slingshot Books.
What would you do to make a difference in the world?
Well the world is on the precipice of collapse, isn’t it? What would you do first? Tackle things like an existential game of whack-a-mole? The climate crisis? Or Illegal wars? Occupation and colonial expansion? Imperialism? Authoritarianism? The broligarchy? Technocracy? Capitalism? The collapse of international law?
The psychopaths behind AI who want to destroy human capacity for thinking? I mean…where would you start? It should be a given that we don’t bomb children but here we are. In the face of all that, is it pathetic to say I would encourage kindness and empathy as a way towards peace?
Favourite holiday destination and why?
Well I could tell you… but then I’d have to kill you. My holiday spot is idyllic and very quiet… and if word gets out, then it won’t be such a good holiday destination anymore! I’ll give you a general hint. South Australia.
When friends come to town, what attraction would you take them to, and why?
We can go for a walk along the Merri Creek and look out for kookaburras, tawny frogmouths and currawongs.
What are you currently reading?
Working in a library is like being a child in a lolly shop. There is a huge teetering pile of books by my bed. I’m making my way through the Stella longlist, starting with Apron-Sorrow / Sovereign-Tea by Natalie Harkin. Just finished the inspirational memoir Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arundhati Roy and the new children’s novel by Fiona Wood, The Boy and Dog Tree – an instant classic!
What are you currently listening to?
Community radio. All day, every day.
Happiness is?
Lost in a good book, curled up with my dog.
What does the future hold for you?
I don’t think about the future very much. There’s so much to do each day! I just follow my nose, creatively and see where I end up, taking opportunities as they arise. Hopefully the future is more of the same.
Julianne is the Author of The Belly of a Wolf – which is published by UWA Publishing and available from all great book sellers.
Image: Julianne Negri (supplied)