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 year-round depending on weather conditions!

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.) 

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 anything by Kevin Brooks. There are a few books I read that blow me away - you can find out what they are by clicking on My Wow! books

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.)