20 QUESTIONS FOR SOPHIE KINSELLA
1. Dog or cat? Dog 2. Favourite place in the UK? Wherever my family is. 3. The best advice you’ve ever got? Slow down. Enjoy the moment. I have a tendency to live my life in a total whirl, and I’m always thinking ahead. Sometimes it’s good just to think about what you’re doing right now. 4. If you could murder one person and get away with it, who would it be? I honestly don’t think I could murder anyone! 5. If not writing, what? Snuggled with all my children on the sofa. 6. Do you like cooking? I love the idea of it, but I’m not brilliantly practical. My husband is far better. I’m always burning food because I get distracted. The number of simmering pans I’ve suddenly remembered about, only to find their bottoms are scorched... On the plus side, I CAN make a Nigella Lawson Nutella cake! 7. How well do you sleep? Usually very well. I love sleep and I need lots of it. 8. Mountains or sea? Sea. 9. What’s your favourite place in the world for a holiday? Oman. I’ve been there many times, and it is a lovely, friendly country with spectacular desert scenery and beautiful beaches. 10. What did you learn from your mother? And your father? My mother taught me: you can do anything in life. My father taught me: if in doubt, crack a joke. 11. Four people at your ideal dinner party (alive or dead). Who are they? Jane Austen, Dorothy Parker, Lewis Carroll and Richard Curtis. I’d enjoy their wit and shamelessly pick their brains. 12. What are you reading at the moment? Need to Know by Karen Cleveland. It’s an incredibly gripping thriller – I’m loving it! 13. Do you recharge by being alone or in a crowd? It depends. My life is one of extremes. After days writing alone, I crave company, but after a publicity tour I need peace and quiet. 14. Would you describe yourself as a feminist? Yes, I think I’m naturally a feminist. I write strong female protagonists who face challenges but prevail. 15. Weekend getaway: big city break or country? Can’t choose! Love them both! 16. What makes you angry? Injustice, unkindness and plastic everywhere. 17. What makes you happy? Thinking of a new plot twist. Making my children laugh. Dancing. 18. How many languages do you speak? One and a twentieth – I speak about a twentieth of French. 19. What do you love most about where you live? At the moment I live in central London and I love the buzz. I do crave the country, though. 20. Do you exercise? Yes. I go to a great gym; I’m also keen on finding YouTube videos and following them. I get bored very quickly, so I choose a different one each time.