Val Tyler

Q: What were you like at school?

I was lively, mischievous and always involved in sports and drama.

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

I wanted to be a fantastic mother. I spent lots of time writing, but never thought I could become a writer!

Q: Which three words describe you best?

Enthusiastic, loyal and loving.

Q: What is your favourite word?

Ramshackle

Q: What makes you cringe?

People who think they are funnier than they are.

Q: What are you afraid of?

Squirrels - aren't I silly!

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

I don't think a day goes by without one.

Q: What is your most treasured possession?

Photos of my family and friends.

Q: What do you do as a hobby?

Lots of different crafts - my favourites are stained glass, pottery, patchwork and anything with wool.

Q: What’s your favourite food?

Freshly-baked bread with lashings of butter.

Q: What do you day dream about?

The next story.

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

Stage director.

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

I'm not sure that I've ever really grown up!

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

Jane Austen

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

Honesty

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

My grandmother's house - full of nooks and crannies and bulging with fascinating objects.

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

I am better than no one, and no one is better than me.

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

I would like to have handwriting that other people could read.

Q: What has life taught you?

There is nothing so frightening as fear itself.

Q: How long have you been a writer?

Since I was a little girl. I was first published in 1998, but my first novel came out in 2005.

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

No.

Q: Where do you do your writing?

I have a writing room with windows all around, overlooking a beautiful valley with hills and mountains beyond.

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

The best thing is the process of writing - I love it! The worst thing is not having a regular pay cheque.

Q: Where do you get your greatest ideas from?

I have no idea - they just pop into my imagination.

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

None of them in particular.

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

When ideas aren't flowing, I walk the hills with my dogs.

Q: What was your favourite book as a child?

I didn't enjoy reading - isn't that sad?

Q: What advice would you give to aspiring authors?

Write what interests you, then edit, edit and edit again until it is right.