faith bleasdale
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Superb author of Peep Show, Pinstripes and Rubber Gloves or Jimmy Choos on the joys of working in her pyjamas.

1. What inspires you to write?
So many things inspire me. Not all that make any sense. But my last book Peep Show was inspired by my personal addiction to reality TV. I'm still not fully recovered from that actually.

2. How long does it take you to write a novel?
It takes me a while to get into it. I find getting started quite hard. However, once I do get into it, I work quite quickly, so on average I'd say three to four months (of course that depends on how much research is needed, but that's a different story).

3. Do you have a writing routine? If so, what is it?
I really want a writing routine. On a typical day I get up and go to the gym, or a class. Then I get my coffee and then I sit at my computer. I deal with emails and calls in the morning, break for lunch (normally to coincide with Neighbours) and then write all afternoon. If I have a deadline I work in the evenings but I do try to make my day the way it'd be if I had a normal job. Of course I fail miserably.

4. Has your life changed since you became a novelist?
Yes. Not immediately but I have a job where I work from home now and I enjoy what I do. I got to meet a lot of great people I wouldn't have met otherwise, and I can work in my pyjamas if I want to. That really changed my life as I worked in the city before and finding unladdered tights at six am is no joking matter.

5. How do you cure writer's block?
I don't really get writer's block. I know some days that I'm not really in a writing mood so instead of torturing myself I go out and do something different. I am scared that I might get it, but if I do I think I'm going to go and see a hypnotist.

6. What is your all-time desert island book?
The complete works of Jane Austen. I would need some source of romance if I were stranded.

7. What are you reading at the moment?
I am reading Godchildren by Nicolas Coleridge. It's quite a big book!

8. What's the biggest myth about being a writer?
That you're rich.

9. What advice would you give budding authors?
The hardest thing is getting started. But perservere. That is the most important thing. And don't be negative about it before you start. Yes, it is hard, but if you don't try then you'll never know.

10. What can readers expect from you in the future?
My new book, Deranged Marriage is out in September and I am quite excited about that. After that, more books, and hopefully they'll get better and better.

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