Hi Renée! What and where did you study to get to where you are today? 
R: I studied biology at Washington College, Maryland, USA, and environmental science at the University of Charleston, South Carolina, USA. While working as a scientist, I received heaps of training in writing and graphic design, and I took (and still take!) heaps of art classes in painting, drawing, design and illustration… and I use every one of these skills now as a writer and illustrator.

What’s your process when it comes to creating your books? Does the story happen first or the drawings?
R: Every book is totally different! For my Sherlock Bones series, I started drawing the main character (a quirky tawny frogmouth skeleton) years before I had a story for him. But for the graphic novel series I’m currently working on, the story came first, and I am creating the drawings to go with it.

What was the first story you ever wrote about and how old were you? 
R: One of my very first illustrated stories was called ‘The Carousel Pony’ and I wrote it in grade 7. It was about a (you guessed it) pony on a carousel that dreamed of having another life with more exciting and horsey adventures. I collaged fabric, glitter and sand throughout the book and had so much fun that I couldn’t believe it was real schoolwork.

Love it! Aside from being an awesome author and illustrator, what other secret talents do you have?
R: I love to bake fancy cakes with lots of different flavoured layers as well as make hybrid animal sculptures out of clay (think owls with antlers, big ears and furry tails).

You can check out more of our interview with Renée in the August/September 'Thrills and Spills' issue of Total Girl, out the week of July 21 in Australia. 

Plus, check out Renée's special shout out to TGs HERE!