Silly stuff about when I was growing up
I grew up in a small village in West Yorkshire. I was a complete disaster at P.E. (oh the humiliation of having to wear those big navy knickers), never quite got to grips with Maths but I did love English - especially the making- up stories part.
I once apparently ate a slug covered in sand. I was very young at the time. YEEEUCHH! No wonder I'm a vegetarian now!
My bed was right in the middle of my bedroom like an island surrounded by space. Looking back, that was quite cool!
My best friend Jules has moved back to the same village where we grew up so when I go back home (I always call it 'home' even though I haven't lived there for over 20 years) I get to laugh and gossip with her just like we always used to. It's great!
Where I live now
I live in Wimbledon with my husband Robert and Ted my Old English Sheepdog. I came down to London to go to university and never went back!
I love living here. We live close to the Common so it's perfect for walking Ted. The village has some fantastic shops (LOTS of shoe shops!!) and great places to meet friends for a coffee or a glass of wine. AND it's quick and easy to get up to central London.
One of my favourite views in the world is the one from Waterloo Bridge. Whenever I walk over it I always stop and have a look - the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye, the Gherkin, there are just so many beautiful buildings to see. That view always makes me smile.
I love discovering new parts of London, There are so many fantastic little streets to wander through far away from the crowds. It's not all hustle and bustle like Oxford Street.
Ted
Ted is our second Old English Sheepdog. Our first one was called BoBo. He lived until he was 15 so he was really very old. He was a real 'Mummy's Boy' and followed me about everywhere. He always slept under my desk while I was writing, I loved that. I was devastated when he died.Then we got Ted.
Ted is the most laid-back dog on the planet. He sometimes doesn't even get up when I've been out all day; he just raises his eyebrows as if to say "Oh, you're back are you?"
If Ted was human his favourite expression would be 'Whatever!'
Ted has hip dysplasia which means his hips are kind of dislocated all the time. He can't play with other dogs which makes me very sad but he just makes the best of everything and enjoys whatever he does. We take him swimming which really helps. Greyfriars is an amazing place and worth taking a look at on www.greyfriarsrehab.co.uk Ted loves going there - but hates getting dried afterwards.
Ted has quite a lot of walk on parts in my blog: www.flipsidefiona.blogspot.com so you can check out what he's been getting up to lately!
My writing day
I get up early-ish to walk Ted. That doesn't always feel like a good idea, especially when it's cold and dark, but I usually feel better from being in the fresh-air. When I get back I make myself a very virtuous smoothie (an excellent way to get some of your 5 a day!) or an equally virtuous bowl of porridge, give Ted breakfast, flick through the newspapers and think about writing......and then I go to the gym! I do enjoy working out and I also have some of my best ideas in the gym - it's just a case of remembering them long enough to write them down!
I tend to do most of my writing in the afternoon; by that time my brain has been loosened up as well as my body. On some days the words just flow and on others...well, they just don't. I try to think of different ways to get the ideas going, but if I end up sitting in front of a blank screen for too long, it starts to get me down. That's when I pick up a book, or go for a walk, or have a spot of retail therapy! Usually a complete change is just what I need to kick-start the creative process again.
Ten things you didn't know about me!
- I would love to play drums in a band
- I can't ride a bike (I once nearly fell off an exercise bike in the gym!)
- The best sandwich I ever ate was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich at a small outdoor stall just off the Pacific Coast Highway in California
- I think horses are beautiful - but I'm quite frightened of them
- I can't climb up ladders. My legs just don't seem to work properly after about the third rung
- I enjoy walking in the rain
- I am very shy and dread walking into a room full of people I don't know
- The expression 'giddy kipper' always makes me laugh
- I hate having my photograph taken
- I wish I could sing