I do say no to lots of things, actually! I know it doesn't look like it. But I have a tendency to a) be rubbish at saying no, and b) be pushed by some kind of Protestant work ethic.

I've seen a lot of women give up after they've had three or four bad gigs in a row. It's very difficult to learn not to take nasty heckles personally.

I thought I was funny as a kid.

There's lots of different feminist groups. It's not as straightforward as just looking like a plumber.

I'm sure some cynical people would point to that as the main reason for doing it for a lot of people.

You know it's time for a New Year's resolution to lose weight when you step on a talking scale and it says, "One at a time, please.

I love everything about books. I love the content, the way they look and even the lovely way they smell. I think a book collection says something about you as a person, and certainly my books are something I'd want to pass on for future generations.