I think I'm brave because I've made decisions based - I hope not entirely selfishly - on what I think is right for me to do next.

I'm an escapist kind of writer.

I have been lucky enough to travel a lot, meet great people in many lands. I have liked almost everyone I met along the way.

If I see Marian Keyes' books or Patricia Scanlan's books given more prominence than mine in the bookstore, I'll move mine to the front. I've told them I do this, and they've confessed to doing the same thing to me.

If you woke up each morning, and immediately dwelt on your ills, what sort of a day could you look forward to?

I didn't get excited by weight loss, and since I was already happy being fat, I couldn't see the point of it all. I'm 6 ft. and weigh about 18 st. or 19 st., but weighing myself is not something I do with much pleasure.

You're much more believable if you talk in your own voice.