Five facts: Zoë Foster

Zoë Foster is a best-selling author, journalist, blogger, relationship commentator, beauty expert and pancake aficionado. She has published three novels, the most recent being The Younger Man. She is the contributing editor of Mamamia and relationship columnist for Cosmopolitan. She is also the beauty correspondent for Channel 9’s Mornings and a regular on The Today Show, The Circle and A Current Affair.

Five facts:

When I finished my most recent book I took a screengrab of the words ‘The End’ and emailed it to my fiancé to prove I was finished and was ready for gushing admiration and congratulation to commence. Then I’m pretty sure I messaged my best girlfriends to arrange an urgent meal bookended with champagne and all of the wrongest and most ludicrous desserts available. So, you know, I’m pretty casual about it all, really.

My favourite cocktail is an Old Fashioned (with bourbon) and I like it because it reminds me of watching Mad Men season one, and falling deeply and violently in love with Don Draper, and needing to drink whatever he did. Mercifully I really enjoy the taste of an Old Fashioned, and have become a terrific snob with regards to how they’re made, which bartenders find really cute and quirky and infuriating.

My favourite place in the world is probably Queenstown in New Zealand, which I know as an Australian you’re not supposed to admit, but I find it such an astonishingly beautiful and rejuvenating place. Plus, they have excellent Pinot Noir and arrogant infused olive oils and artisanal, overpriced burgers—all things I love dearly.

The best thing about being a writer is the phenomenal freedom and flexibility. I’m in the enormously fortunate position of being able to work anywhere in the world, regardless of the day, time, weather, or state of my hair. Also you get sent heaps of free sports drinks and tracksuits. No, my mistake, that’s professional basketball.

When I need to take a break from writing, I 1. Change focus, and read or watch something that is completely removed from what I am trying to do, or is just very excellent/funny/inspiring. 2. Get outside and remember about things like ‘fresh air’ and ‘the sky’. 3. Treat myself with some form of pastry or cake or small sartorial purchase. The delight/guilt from this treat inspires me to go on and complete a huge chunk of work in order to earn it. Oh, it’s sick, but it works.

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Zoë Foster will be in conversation with Bethanie Blanchard on Friday 24 August at 10am, and will be reading from her work at The Morning Read session (free) on Saturday 25 August at 10am.