One of the best things about last year launching my debut novel was the opportunity to meet an incredible group of other authors debuting their books. #DebutCrew25 was a source of so much support, inspiration and joy, especially from my fabulous friend Christine Newell. Have a read of her gorgeous, thoughtful, considered answers to my version of the Proust Questionnaire and see for yourself!
What’s your idea of perfect happiness?
Happiness, for me, is about feeling safe, having a calm nervous system and the freedom to produce meaningful, creative work. This usually looks like sitting in the park in the morning with an extra-hot soy latte, watching dogs roll around on the grass while mulling over my current work in progress. Or sitting at my desk, tucked into my little corner nook, writing away as sunshine streams through the window.
What is your most treasured possession and why?
I have a few, but if I had to choose one, I’d say the brooch that my dear friend and former colleague, the late June Salter AM, passed down to me when we performed together in The Sound of Music. It was my first big show, and I was young and very green. June took me under her wing, and I’ve always felt honoured to have something that once belonged to her.
What is your most marked characteristic?
A friend recently told me that I have a talent for making my dreams come true. At first, this floored me, but I think there is some truth in it. I’ve always gone after what I want in life, regardless of the obstacles – sometimes with success and sometimes to my own detriment. But not everyone gets to live out their dreams, and this is something I’ve managed to achieve. As a child, my dream was to work professionally in musical theatre, which I did for several years. More recently, I wanted to become a published author. That dream was realised last year when my debut memoir was published. I’m not very good at giving myself credit, but I’m going to own this one, even if it’s making me sweat.
Who is your hero of fiction?
As a memoirist I read a lot of non-fiction, so I’m going to be cheeky and name the authors whose memoirs have inspired me, both personally and as a writer: Katherine May, Alice Steinbach, Elizabeth Gilbert, Pico Iyer and Georgie Dent, to name a few.
Who are your heroes in real life?
My mum is my hero. She has faced many hardships in her life, but she always finds a reason to be grateful. Even though she turns ninety this year, she still has a spring in her step and is the strongest person I know. She also has the greatest capacity for love. For all these reasons, she is the inspiration behind my current manuscript.
A bonus non-Proust question: What is your story? aka your name, bio and book details including the best place to find you.
I’m Christine Newell and I’m an author and freelance writer. As a professional musical theatre performer, I’ve always been a storyteller. My stage credits include the Australian productions of The Sound of Music, The Wizard of Oz and Anything Goes. In 2005, I relocated to South Korea to perform with an experimental theatre company based in Gangnam, Seoul. My memoir, Five Seasons in Seoul, was published by Affirm Press in 2025. My travel and lifestyle writing has been featured in Escape, The Age and Onya Magazine. When I’m not writing, I can usually be found enjoying a coffee at my local park or watching K-dramas with my cat, Darcy, by my side.
These days, I mainly hang out on Instagram. You can find me at @christinenewellwriter or www.christinenewell.com