What makes you leap out of bed?
Guilt at seeing it’s past eight.
Where do prefer to write?
At my computer. I hate anywhere else.
How many hours a day do you write?
I just write here and there most days, including weekends and holidays. No fixed hours.
How old do you feel?
I’m 68 and feel about 60.
What makes you feel young?
I don’t feel young. I feel enthusiastically, and excitedly old.
What makes you feel old?
What makes me feel even older is arthritis, and finding it takes longer to get out of a car than it used to.
What distracts/irritates you?
Radio Two blaring from a van outside that appears to have no driver in it.
Who is YOUR agony aunt?
I have a vast range, with different friends for different problems.
Which is your favourite local restaurant?
The Princess Victoria pub on the Uxbridge Road. It is also, to be honest, the only decent local restaurant.
Where would we find you relaxing?
I’m hopeless at relaxing. I like to keep on the go constantly.
Who makes you laugh?
PG Wodehouse and, I’m afraid, some of my own jokes.
What are your New Year resolutions?
To slow down. Fat chance.
Kindle or book?
Both – each is good for different occasions.
Local pub or social media?
I’m only a member of two clubs; the Academy in Soho and the Royal College of Art Senior Common Room. No local pubs, and I do most of my catching up with people by email.
If not west London, where?
Is there anywhere else? Surely you’re not thinking of somewhere north of the park or south of the river, are you my dear?
Tell us a secret.
Go to Shepherd’s Bush and from the local Syrian supermarkets, buy your fill of pomegranate molasses, big bunches of coriander for 50p, boxes of mangoes, pickled lemons, rose water, frozen artichoke hearts and a thousand other delicacies that you normally only find at posh shops for twice the price in Holland Park.
