Q&A with Zeno Sworder

What inspired you to write your book?

There was a particular tree that I fell in love with when I was a young boy. I grew up in a house with no car and no TV so I spent a large part of my childhood outdoors climbing trees. The tree at the top of our street had branches perfectly spaced for my 6 year old limbs - I felt that I could climb upwards forever. I would stay high up in that tree for hours and I would talk to it. I believed that it was listening. 

I wanted to write a story that captured a childhood sense of wonder and love for trees - something that is so different from us yet makes all of our lives possible - we can breathe in because trees breathe out. I am a strong believer that the way we see the world shapes the way that we treat the world, so I wanted to bring trees to life by telling a story from a tree’s perspective in which they are living beings rather than just objects that neatly line our streets.

What was your favourite kids book when you were growing up?

I loved Tintin books and would sit in the library working my way through all of his adventures. The children’s book that left the deepest impression on me was a book about a mouse architect who designed homes for insects and small animals. It was called House by Mouse and for years I searched for it as an adult so I could share it with my children. It was re-released a couple of years ago. Unfortunately my children are not as fascinated with it as I still am.

What are you reading at the moment?

I generally dip in and out of several books at once. At the moment I am reading Feel Free by Zadie Smith, The Curtain by Milan Kundera and Unincorporated Persons in the Late Honda Dynasty by Tony Hoagland.

Do you have a favourite spot for writing? 

I love writing on airplanes. I also find that I do my best brainstorming when I am waiting for someone.

What is your favourite writing snack?

A handful of Nutrigrain. It’s a bit barbaric but I keep a box of nutrigrain in the studio that I eat from like a bucket of popcorn.