Q & A

What were your favorite books as a child?

I loved “The Lorax” by Dr Seuss. I also enjoyed the Laura Ingalls Wilder books. And ghost stories. I’ve always wanted to see a ghost, but never have. However, that doesn’t stop me from believing in them!

Where do you get your ideas from?

I have idea radar that I turn on and off. As soon as I switch it on, I pick up ideas. They might come from something someone has said, something I’ve read, something I’ve watched on TV—anywhere really, just as long as my radar is switched on.

What is your favorite childhood memory?

I love rain but it didn’t rain much where I grew up in New Hampshire. Not like here in England. When it did rain, red-spotted newts came out. My favorite thing to do was walk in the rain and search for these beautiful salamanders.

What’s the best place you’ve ever visited?

Iguazu Falls National Park in Brazil and Argentina. I took a boat ride around the bottom of the falls and everywhere I looked, I could see rainbows. The park was full of butterflies, coatimundies (cousins to the raccoon), toucans, and jaguars. But I didn’t see any jaguars, thank goodness!

What’s the most exciting thing you’ve ever done?

Fly over a beach upside down in a training jet. Then the pilot cut off the engine and spiralled the plane downwards in a death dive, daring me to lose my lunch. I disappointed him big time. Girls rock!

What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done?

See previous answer.

What’s your most embarrassing moment?

Buying ice cream. I buy ice cream a lot and I don’t usually get embarrassed, but this time I was standing in a queue of people with my skirt tucked into my tights. Everyone could see my bottom, but I’d been standing there for ten minutes before anyone told me. Needless to say, I left without an ice cream.

What would you do if you had more time?

I’d learn to play the drums and join a country western band.