I keep my own personality in a cupboard under the stairs at home so that no one else can see it or nick it.

Evolving into a middle-aged person is quite interesting if we can understand what it means. I would like to think it meant being a bit sure of what I want.

When I wrote 'Dear Fatty,' I realised that sitting and writing alone is an absolute joy.

There is a latent fairy in all women, but look how carefully we have to secrete her in order to be taken seriously. And fairies come in all shapes, colours, sizes and types, they don't have to be fluffy. They can be demanding and furious if hey like. They do, however, have to wear a tiara. That much is compulsory.

It was my father who taught me to value myself. He told me that I was uncommonly beautiful and that I was the most precious thing in his life.

Why would anyone want to be called a size zero or even aspire to being a zero? I don't even understand the thinking behind it, let alone the practicalities. What is all that about?

I think of myself now as a writer, although I wouldn't go as far as to say 'novelist' because that sounds like a Victorian person.