Susie Johns

Q: What is your favourite word?

Beautiful

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

An actress

Q: Which three words describe you best?

Cheerful. colourful, creative

Q: What were you like at school?

Enthusiastic, good at lessons, good at games

Q: What makes you cringe?

Bad grammar, bad manners, bad attitude

Q: What are you afraid of?

Nothing much

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

About half an hour ago

Q: What is your most treasured possession?

Family photographs

Q: What do you do as a hobby?

My work and hobbies are really the same... but I do love going to the cinema and I am a member of a pub quiz team.

Q: What strange habits do you have?

None I would admit to

Q: What’s your favourite food?

British classics such as roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, apple crumble and custard, bacon and egg

Q: What do you day dream about?

Having my own purpose-built studio complete with wood-burning stove, an endless supply of paper and paints, and a computer that never breaks down.

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

Appearing in a play wearing a very skimpy costume

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

Film director

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

Always younger

Q: If you could meet one person, dead or alive, who would it be?

Pablo Picasso

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

Honesty... and generosity

Q: What is the most interesting place you have ever visited?

Backstage at The Albert Hall

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

When it comes to earning a living, do what you enjoy.

Q: What would you most like to change about yourself?

I'd like to be able to sing beautifully.

Q: What has life taught you?

Be honest, be kind, be thoughtful.

Q: How long have you been a writer?

For about 30 years

Q: Was there a specific moment in your life when you decide to become a writer?

No, my writing career has evolved over time.

Q: Where do you do your writing?

At home

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

You have to be very disciplined and hard-working and, even if you are successful, it is difficult to earn a good living. On the plus side, it is very satisfying to spend your working life being creative.

Q: Where do you get your greatest ideas from?

I visit galleries and museums, read lots of books and have lots of interesting conversations with people.

Q: What do you do to combat “writers’ block”?

I make a list of tasks to be tackled. I start work at the same time each day and work through the list until suppertime.

Q: What was your favourite book as a child?

I had lots of favourites but particularly remember 'A dog so small that you could only see it with your eyes shut' by Philippa Pearce.

Q: What book do you wish you had written?

Alice in Wonderland

Q: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

'Follow your heart.'