Where are you now and what can you see?
In the basement of a café on Old Compton Street in Soho, London. I can see a Japanese man on his laptop and a pink-haired teenager drawing.
What are you currently reading?
'A Sport and a Pastime' by James Salter, a carnal love story set in 1950s France, given to me by a friend in New York.
Choose a favourite author and say why you admire him/her
Margaret Atwood is my all-time favourite, for her dazzling imagination. I once had my bag stolen... because I was so engrossed in 'Oryx and Crake'.
Describe the room where you usually write
This Soho café steals quite a bit of my time. I started coming here because my novel, 'The Art of Leaving', is set in Soho. It's not a particularly nice place at all... but I put earphones in and can concentrate for hours.
Which fictional character most resembles you?
Alice in Wonderland. Perplexed but steady.
Who is your hero/ heroine from outside literature?
Austrian traveller Ida Laura Pfeiffer, brought up as a tomboy in the early 19th century. From journeys through the deserts of Mesopotania to being arrested in Russia for being a spy... she rocked.
Anna Stothard's new novel is 'The Art of Leaving' (Alma Books)
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies