A divorce is like a controlled explosion. Everyone on the outside is OK.
To have someone who never makes a mistake, never finds her personal life in disarray, never worries about work-life balance? I think that would be unreal. What Im writing is real.
I’ve never felt so bereft and panicky. What do I do without my phone? How do I function? My hand keeps automatically reaching for my phone in its usual place in my pocket. Every instinct in me wants to text someone, ‘OMG, I’ve lost my phone! ’ but how can do that without a bloody phone?
The way I write is totally instinctive. I just write what I feel or what I find funny – and hope everyone else agrees.
Philosophy wasn’t about facts, it was about ideas. My first essay title was something like: ‘How can you know what other people are thinking?’ I thought, ‘Wow, what an amazing thing.’ I really thought deeply for the first time.
If you want something you can’t afford, think what else that money could buy: a week’s groceries, a month’s rent, or a weekend away. That will put things into perspective.
I’ve never written a children’s book, but when people meet me for the first time and I say I write books, they invariably reply, ‘Children’s books?’ Maybe it’s something about my face.
When I’m on a break from writing, I’ll log on to Amazon and eBay. The doorbell is constantly being rung by deliverymen.
I can’t cook. I don’t have the right brain for it, somehow. I can’t walk into a room and tidy it up. I get distracted. I pick up one thing and I start looking at it. And my cooking is truly heinous.
I’m a great fan of taking my laptop out and about.
I love all my characters. I love their weaknesses and flaws. I feel like they’re all my best friends and I adore being with them.
I think a lot of people still fantasise about that first love and what might happen if they rekindled the relationship.
I’d probably still be a financial journalist now if it weren’t for writing novels. Mmm. Fun! I’m much happier writing novels!
I had gone to Oxford to read music. I had done music all my life, but when I got to college I didn’t want to do it anymore.
I adore all Agatha Christie’s books and turn to them whenever I’m ill or need cheering up.
My childhood was spent embracing one literary heroine after another. I identified passionately with each one and would slavishly imitate them.
I am not a label snob and have learned that the thrill of shopping can be just as great, if not more so, when you find a bargain.
I change my mind so much, I’m better going on my own. Shopping is a selfish activity anyway.
Shopping with friends is a great way of still enjoying the thrill of the chase without having to make a purchase. It can also be a real bonding opportunity. Helping your friend find something nice is just as rewarding as helping yourself.
If you look good, you feel good!