'There’d be a jacket design, a blurb on the back, table of contents at the front, and often not a lot in between.'

These were generally a few foolscap pages, folded in half and held together with now-yellowing Sellotape. There’d be a jacket design, a title, an ornate declaration of authorship, a blurb on the back, table of contents, and often not a lot in between.

'After I’ve done my original work for the day, I type it all up. This might sound like an arduous duplication, but it’s actually my first edit.'

I like to spend time getting my first draft right. The writing, of course, does end up on a computer. After I’ve done my original work for the day, I type it all up. This might sound like an arduous duplication of effort, but it’s actually my first edit.

'No wonder it can be painful to make that cut. Those precious words are the unsuitable lover we’re obsessed with.'

No wonder it can be painful – impossible even – to make that cut; no wonder we fiercely cling to it against all advice. Those precious words are the unsuitable lover we’re obsessed with, the dodgy cad, or perhaps a narcissistic reflection of our self.

'The difference between the city and the countryside for me is that we tolerate imperfection, chaos and even ugliness in urban locations. '

The difference between the city and the countryside is that we tolerate imperfection, chaos and even ugliness in urban locations in a way we couldn’t in the countryside. The great poets celebrated the perfection of daffodils and honesty of rustic life.

'As lockdown hardened I discovered that my writing/life balance needed more balance. I missed the students and working through essays. '

As lockdown hardened I soon discovered that my writing/life balance needed more balance. I missed the students and essays. I missed the buzz of campus, colleagues and the sanctuary of my RLF office that I was allowed to use on non-teaching days.

'Generous and complimentary reviews in the literary pages will pass unnoticed by your friends and relatives; one condescending remark will be seen by everyone.'

No one tells you that the generous and complimentary reviews in the literary pages will pass unnoticed by your friends and relatives, but one condescending remark will somehow be seen by everyone, and their commiserations will haunt you for decades.

'A Post-it note, a child’s drawing, even a prescription for folic acid never collected. I plot my life through the books I’ve read.'

Select a book from my shelves, open it and you’ll find an unconventional bookmark — a Post-it note, a child’s drawing, even a prescription for folic acid never collected. My bookshelves contain secrets; I plot my life through the books I’ve read.

'If I’d had to sum it up in a word – the motive force behind my writing – I might have said ‘freedom’. That was the feeling.'

I left home the day I left school, began a new life in a bedsit. I lived on glucose tablets, Saveloy sausages and chips. I wrote stories and poems. I was very happy. If I’d had to sum it up – the motive behind my writing – I might have said ‘freedom’.

'‘Welcome home Odysseus. I’m glad you finally made it back. I’m relieved that you had a bath and got yourself rubbed with oil.''

‘Welcome home Odysseus. I’m glad you finally made it back. I’m relieved that you have had a bath. From the bedroom window I saw you after you slaughtered the suitors and got our son to rip off Melanthius’s genitals and feed them to the dogs.'

'Thank you to Sister Marie Joseph, for reading us Bible stories every day, shining a light on a world of conflict and drama and complex family relationships. '

Thank you Sister Marie Joseph, for reading us Bible stories every day, shining a light on a world of conflict and drama and complex family relationships like no other. I still bring flowers to your grave. And Miss Medland, for encouraging me to write stories.