I picked books by their covers - the worse the cover, the more I wanted to read it.

I definitely have managed to overcome dyslexia now to become a fully functional human being but things were a lot more difficult when I was younger.

I've always wanted to have a book published - it was a dream of mine, but the thought of actually writing a book made me feel really sick.

When we had to do book reports, I would pick a book that no one read and just make it up and turn that in. I got praised for my imagination.

My parents told us how they felt but never imposed their beliefs on us, although I appreciate I got a healthy sense of democracy from them.

I would ask my parents something, but then go to my siblings. We were encouraged to bounce ideas off everyone.

I didn't read at all until I was 12. I just couldn't. It was too frustrating.