As I tell my intro creative writing students, after reading someone you love, wait at least an hour before starting to write.

I'm used to writing short stories, which is primarily what I like to read.

I like the idea of characters without shame, who hold nothing back.

Growing up, I was obsessed with Michael Jackson. I saw him at Wembley when I was 7 years old, it was my first proper show. He was like a god to me.

When you start becoming a pop star, you think, Hold on a second, maybe my life is different now - maybe all these people that I thought of as celebrities are going to be normal, and when I walk into a room I'm going to be really cool and so is everyone else. But that's not what happens at all - I was awkward, and then I just retreated from any social engagement for about a year.

We like to juxtapose our music with a more dour aesthetic.

I need to keep my dancing on the right side of weird, otherwise it might get a bit like "American Idol."