Ideas keeping author on the hop

Belmont artist Conny Fechner finds inspiration for her children’s books in the “wackiness” of Australian animals.
The illustrator-author is celebrating the recent release of her second self-published book, Jimmy Roo.
The book tells the story of a quirky kangaroo with a fear of shadows who learns to knit and befriends a small, wise possum.
Ms Fechner said she “mulled over” the concept for Jimmy Roo for five years.
“It just bubbles in the background. I don’t get writer’s block, I get too-much-to-do block.
“I have too many ideas and can’t decide what I should start.”
Ms Fechner said producing children’s books was “just another avenue” she had gone into after working as a teacher.
“I’ve always enjoyed art. It’s just a part of me and I get such joy that in a book I can share it with a lot of people rather than just doing one painting.”
New Zealand-born Ms Fechner said she moved to Geelong with her husband and daughter 13 years ago and had “never looked back”.
“It’s a beautiful city with great accessibility.”
After publishing 12 of her own books and illustrating many others, Ms Fechner praised North Geelong’s Print Design Australia for its work on her children’s titles.
“The quality is still great. The price is competitive with many books and within a week I can have a reprint and its local.”