I've taken a certain a pride in all of my books. They devour so much time and energy that you have to engage deeply or you'd go mad.

I wish I knew how to sleep late! I generally wake horribly early, often with a head full of thoughts and deadlines that propel me to my computer.

Iceland's Women's Day Off in 1975 saw 90% of Icelandic women take time off from their paid and unpaid work, an experience that not only showed women how much they contribute but turned Icelandic men into supporters of gender equality. I aim to achieve the same impact in the UK.

Our male-dominated culture tends to define success in terms of wealth, fame, power, the reaction of others. Women are fed a version that includes personal fulfilment through marriage and motherhood in addition to professional acclaim and of course we must look sexy but not too sexy and then graciously disappear when we hit middle age.

It is, after all, absurd that in 2017 women are still at best second-class citizens.

Writing a book is like running a marathon. You need to be fit to do it, mentally and, as far as possible, physically.

Take on jobs, projects and challenges that frighten you. It's the best way to get rid of fear.