Sheena Blackhall, aged 74, is a prolific writer in both Doric and English. Sheena is a poet, novelist, short story writer, illustrator, traditional storyteller and singer. In 2019 Sheena was presented with the Janet Paisley Lifetime Achievement Award.
Tell us 4 important facts about yourself
- Currently I am Makar for the North East Doric Board
- I’m translating Wuthering Heights into Scots
- I recently ran a Writing Workshop for the Scottish Association of Writer’s conference
- I’m working on my 166th poetry pamphlet
What is your favourite age that you’ve been so far in life, and why?
50: I was working at the Elphinstone Institute in Aberdeen University. It was before I was diagnosed with Diabetes 2, and I was branching into storytelling.
Who is your favourite fictional character over 60?
Scrooge. I’m a great Dickens fan.
You are alone in your house (no pets). You have three minutes to get out before the house collapses and burns to the ground. What one possession would you grab and take with you?
One of my elephant collection. Ganesh is the God of New Beginnings and the Inspiration for my novella ‘The Gods of Grayfriars Lane’.
What’s your favourite creative pastime?
Writing and reading poetry
Tell us something about yourself that’s surprising or unexpected.
I have a geographic tongue!