Booktopia recently asked me their Ten Terrifying Questions and my answers can be found here: http://blog.booktopia.com.au/2012/07/19/l-a-larkin-author-of-thirst-and-the-genesis-flaw-answers-ten-terrifying-questions/#comment-15503

Here’s a taster of some of the questions John Purcell, the Booktopia Book Guru, asked me. They certainly go me thinking:

What did you want to be when you were twelve, eighteen and thirty?

At twelve, happy. At eighteen, rich. At thirty, fulfilled. As an author I am happy and fulfilled, so two out of three isn’t bad!

What strongly held belief did you have at eighteen that you do not have now?

At eighteen I believed I could steer my life any way I wanted. I was in control. I now realise that all sorts of wonderful opportunities arise that I had never imagined and by taking those surprising opportunities I have met incredible people and been to amazing places.

Which authors had an impact on you as a child?

Enid Blyton and Charles Dickens. Blyton’s books inspired a love of action and adventure stories, and Dickens opened my eyes to the power of engaging characters, as well as novels as social and political commentary.