While I'm frustrated at the amount I'm expected to take on in the present, the 1950s woman was frustrated by being excluded - not being allowed to take things on at all.

Scotland consistently produces world-class writers.

Books exist for me not as physical entities with pages and binding, but in the province of my mind.

Very often the characters people respond to best have little parts of reality they can relate to.

Something I notice speaking to writers from south of Hadrians Wall is that the culture is different. At base, I think Scotland values its creative industries differently from England.

I find it inspiring to actively choose which traditions to celebrate and also come up with new ideas for traditions of my own.

Writing about the 1950s has given me tremendous respect for my mother's generation.