The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Getting to know you
Local author Sandra Savage, whose latest Annie Pepper novel is about to be published, shares her views on life
Q Which writers, alive or dead, inspire you?
A Catherine Cookson for her down-toearth approach to her characters, especially the women at the times her books were set in, who really had to struggle to find any kind of happiness in their lives, blighted by poverty and male dependency.
Q What was your plan B, careerwise?
A Writing was my plan B, as plan A was earning a living as a single parent and then an independent woman.
Q Your house is on fire, what one item do you save?
A Well, it wouldn’t be anything materialistic, as things can be replaced, but my box of memories of events and photographs that shaped my past and current life would be what I’d save.
Q Theme song for your life?
A It’s not a song, it’s an old hymn from my days at Sunday School: What a Friend We Have In Jesus.
Q Last meal on earth?
A As I’m gluten intolerant it would have to be anything with real pastry, maybe a steak pie, followed by an apple pie and lots of custard, washed down by a glass or two of red wine.
Q Dream dinner party guests?
A David Attenborough, Tom Selleck, Billy Connolly and, just for balance, Dolly Parton. Q First thing you’d do if you won £1 million? A Donate it to MND Scotland.
Q If you could rule for a day, what would be the first thing you would do? A Abolish fear in all its forms.
Q Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know?
A I’ve begun a new career as a civil celebrant. This involves taking funeral services for families who wish to celebrate their loved one’s life as well as say their final farewells.
Q Favourite holiday destination?
A I travelled quite a bit when I was younger, but now there’s no place like home.
Q Do you believe in aliens?
A If God is an alien, then yes, otherwise I’m open to persuasion.
Q Have you ever had a paranormal encounter?
A Sorry, no flying saucers have ever landed in my back yard. I’ve seen a few flying pigs, though.
Q What was the last book you read?
A The one I’m currently reading is by Simon Brett and it’s called The Corpse on the Court. I do like a good murder/ mystery.
Q If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? A Home-made vegetable soup. I’m a woman of simple tastes. Q Describe yourself as if you were a fine wine? A Full bodied and mellow with a subtle hint of spice.
Q What makes you happy?
A Being around loving and positive people, writing my books, playing bowls, laughing with friends as we put the world to rights, being a student at Dundee Uni (third year), making my house a home, living every day to the full.
Q What makes you sad?
A How money and greed are the new gods people strive to achieve. Don’t they realise – the best things in life are free.
Q If you could go back to any point in history, what would it be?
A Probably 1900 in Dundee when Annie Pepper, in the shape of my grandmother, would have been around, then I could see if I’d got the books right with some first-hand information about life then.
Q What is the best advice you have ever received, and who did it come from?
A Have faith in God, have faith in yourself and get on with it. This advice came from ME.
Q What do you do to unwind?
A Listen to music, watch a comedian who makes me laugh out loud (that’s where Billy Connolly comes in), chat to friends on the phone, knit, crochet, sew, do a crossword, do a bit of yoga followed by a cup of tea and a nice chocolate or three.