Dominique Ford
Where were you
born? Where do you live now?
Auckland. I was an only child.
I now live in rural Tauranga with my husband Andrew and two of my children,
Spencer and Cleo. My oldest daughter Diva is at Uni in Auckland.
Where did you go
to school? Did you have a nickname?
I went to a lot of different primary schools, but ended up in
Devonport, Auckland, at Takapuna Grammar School. My nickname was Norman, it
started when I did a great Norman Gunston impression and it stuck.
What were you
like in school? What is the naughtiest thing you did?
Naughty?! I know nothing your honour... I was actually a bit of a
rebel, mostly low-grade misdemeanors! Also a bit of a clown, making people
laugh at me helped me hide the fact that deep down I was shy and lonely and
weird! Don't worry, I'm okay now...
What was your
favourite book growing up?
Watership Down by Richard Adams.
Who is your
favourite children's author?
I can't choose just one! Roald Dahl, Judith Kerr, Ursula Le Guinn,
J. K. Rowling, Garry Kilworth, Laini Taylor. Quentin Blake is my favourite
illustrator.
What is your
favourite food/colour/movie?
Pizza, green, I love disaster movies where giant asteroids and
things are crashing into the earth, superheroes are good too. Also Star Wars.
Who inspired you
to write/illustrate?
I was always arty, and became a graphic artist. The first book I
wrote and illustrated was a school assignment when I was in Form 1 (Year 7). It
was called Turnabout Tiddler, and was about a goldfish with one fin. I still
have it, all handwritten and coloured in with felt pen. My second illustrated
work was when I worked for a printing company in their graphics department when
I was 18. It was called Pruning for the
Learner by Leo Stackpole. I had to draw a lot of trees!
How did you get
started? How old were you?
Graphic design was mostly about designing logos and magazine
layouts, sometimes I did book covers and illustrations though and realised that
was what I wanted to do.
Why did you want
to be a writer/illustrator?
Bringing stories to life and being part of imagined worlds.
Remembering all the good parts of my own childhood.
How do you think
up ideas?
My kids and their friends inspire me a lot. I read heaps of
picture books and children's fiction. Usually the author provides lots of notes
and ideas too. My favourite would have to be I Can't Imagine How That Happened, where Grandpa is based on my Dad
and Grandad, and Meg is just like my daughter Cleo when she was little.
Do you have a
special place where you write/illustrate?
I have a little studio but it can be a bit cramped when I have
several projects on the go. Also I'm not very good at putting my stuff away.
Mostly I take over the dining table where I have a nice view of the trees and
farmland, and can hear the birds. We eat dinner on the couch.
What is the best
thing about being an author/illustrator?
When I was a kid, I used to love colouring-in. Now it's my job!
How lucky am I?
Have you had a
funny or embarrassing moment as an author/illustrator?
After I had illustrated I
Can't Imagine How That Happened by Aimee McNaughton, I discovered that
Aimee was my youngest daughter's English teacher! We met for the first time at
Storylines, then again at Parent/Teacher Interviews!
What do you do
when you are not writing/illustrating?
I knit, crochet, paint and sew. I collect knick-knacks (things
like little bottles and old clocks), and cats (real ones with whiskers and
tails).
What would you
have chosen to be if you were not an author/illustrator?
A vet or a car mechanic. I would love to own a second-hand book
shop.
Which famous
person from the past would you like to talk to?
Professor Dumbledore.
Is there
anything else you would like to tell us about yourself?
Although I plan to continue illustrating forever, I am currently
having a go at writing a children's book. There's a talking weasel in it. My daughter Cleo is named after a pet ferret
I had when I was twelve.