1. I live in a little village just outside Oxford with my husband. The back garden has the most wonderful view and we actually only bought the house because of it. In October 2007 I had a Writing Shed installed, which looks out over the view and which I use during the summer for inspiration!

2. I looove cheese. Brie, stilton, cheddar, feta, halloumi - I honestly love cheese more than chocolate.

3. I used to be an actress. My degree was in Performing Arts, and for five years I roamed the country, both its indoor and its outdoor venues. My favourite role was Helena in A Midsummer Night's Dream, but I had the best ever costume as the Rat in a children's play called Trouble Underfoot.

4. I play the flute quite well and the piano rather badly. I used to be quite good at both but when you stop practising you soon lose your edge!

5. Until December 2009, I taught English part time at a secondary school in Oxford. I loved it - but then I got a book deal that meant I could give up teaching and spend ALL my time writing! What bliss! (and hard work, of course. Ahem.) The book deal was for Sweet Hearts, and you can read all about the series at www.ilovesweethearts.co.uk

6. I believe that hard work and good ideas can get you a long way. But I also think a handful of luck makes all the difference.

7. I have far too many favourite books to pick just one, but old favourites include: You Don't Know Me by David Klass, The Land of Green Ginger by Noel Langley, The Ordinary Princess by M M Kaye and The Falconer's Knot by Mary Hoffman.

8. When I'm not writing in my shed, I write in the back room, which has floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and my PC on a desk. I am not very tidy, but I know where everything is.

9. I got married in February 2006. It was the most fun I've ever had in a single day. Two years later, in June, I gave birth to my daughter Jemima. That wasn't exactly fun but was definitely one of the most amazing days of my life!

10. I like to go to sleep after lunch. I don't know why, but an hour's nap really helps. Now that I'm a full time writer, I indulge this as much as possible! (At school they wouldn't let me go to sleep in lessons.)