Emily Gale

Q: What were you like at school?

Half loud and extrovert, half so shy I felt like I was turning inside out if a teacher asked me a question. I haven't changed.

Q: What did you want to be when you were a child?

I wanted to deliver mail so that I could read other people's postcards.

Q: Which three words describe you best?

Impatient, spontaneous, suspicious.

Q: What makes you cringe?

Porridge. I might be blonde (ish) but I am no Goldilocks. I freak at the tiniest smear of it on my lips.

Q: What are you afraid of?

Pigeons, emus, swans, crows, magpies, rooks, pelicans...ok, most birds. But owls I love.

Q: When did you last have a really good laugh?

Today, by myself, on a crowded train, when I missed my stop. I think you had to be there.

Q: Do you feel younger or older than your current age?

Younger. I'm a child! Why can't anyone see that?

Q: What quality do you most admire in a person?

Being good at public speaking, and smalltalk. And patience. And being able to drive.

Q: What is the best advice anyone has ever given you?

Stop whinging and get on with it. Simple but effective.

Q: What is your most treasured possession?

A very old typewriter that I bought at a market in Brighton 15 years ago. It is only decorative and I am extremely glad I don't have to type novels on it.

Q: What do you do as a hobby?

Sing into my broom handle.

Q: What’s your favourite food?

How long have you got? Extremely hot apple crumble served with extremely cold cream; caperberries; fresh crusty bread smeared in unsalted butter; very ripe brie; mangoes; Xmas pudding with brandy butter; marzipan covered in dark chocolate... sorry, have to stop, am dribbling.

Q: What do you day dream about?

Everything. I am a serial daydreamer and have frequent imaginary conversations and scenarios.

Q: What’s the most outrageous thing you’ve done?

I once pretended to be a journalist so I could go on a free gastronomic tour of Italy.

Q: What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?

If I'd had the talent, musical theatre. "Glee" is my idea of heaven.

Q: How long have you been a writer?

In my head, forever; on paper for six years.

Q: Where do you do your writing?

Sofa, cafe, library, bed.

Q: What are the best and worst things about being an author?

The worst thing is the self-doubt. The best is when you're deeply immersed in your story and write so fast you barely notice you're doing it, and when you read it back later you feel like a reader instead of that harsh inner critic.

Q: Where do you get your greatest ideas from?

The idea for my first book came from watching too much TV. Namely The X Factor. I know that doesn't sound very profound but it worked for me.

Q: Which of your own characters do you most identify with?

I identify with Kass, my main character in Girl Aloud, because she struggles with wanting to please others and wanting to please herself. Plus she's sarcastic.

Q: What was your favourite book as a child?

Charlotte's Web by E B White and Charlotte Sometimes by Penelope Farmer spring to mind.

Q: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

Read widely and often. Don't compare yourself to anyone else. Experiment.