Lindsay Doran goes round the table and introduces everyone - making it clear that I am present in the capacity of writer rather than actress, therefore no one has to be too nice to me.

I firmly believe there are books whose greatness actually enable you to live.

My appearance has changed a lot over the years, but it has far more to do with how I feel about being a woman.

When husbands and fathers leave, their wives and daughters tend to value themselves less as a result.

I think books are like people, in the sense that they'll turn up in your life when you most need them.

I think that my work is my attempt, I suppose, is to try and become a piece of connective tissue. I'm trying to communicate with people here and in America - in rich countries - about what I see on the ground in badly affected areas

But when I lose my temper, I find it difficult to forgive myself. I feel I've failed. I can be calm in a crisis, in the face of death or things that hurt badly. I don't get hysterical, which may be masochistic of me.