The 5-minute Interview: Andy Riley, Cartoonist and author

'People think that I'm very rich from the Bunny Suicides series'

In 2003, Andy Riley's debut, 'The Book of Bunny Suicides: Little Fluffy Rabbits Who Just Don't Want To Live Any More', proved an unlikely hit, topping best-seller lists. Since then, the Bafta award-winning writer has released four follow-up books. 'The Bumper Book of Bunny Suicides' is out this week

If I weren't talking to you right now I'd be...

I would be starting on work on a five-page special of my comic strip. It's usually only two pages. This one involves lots of scenes that go back in time, 20,000 years ago.

A common misperception of me is...

Sometimes people think that I'm very rich from the bunny suicides series.

A phrase I use far too often...

"How's it going?"

The most surprising thing that happened to me was...

Learning that I could dance in my mid-20s. I always thought I couldn't.

I wish that people would take more notice of...

The seasons. With central heating and air conditioning and supermarkets we've abolished them.

I am not a politician but...

I would have maglev trains connecting every major city. They have them in China and Japan. They move at 400mph.

I'm good at...

Living within my means – even when I was living in a bedsit and writing for the radio.

I'm very bad at...

Remembering people's faces. We're evolved to be hunter gatherers, not to meet 200 people.

The ideal night out is...

Going to a good gig and then getting hammered at my favourite bar.

In moments of weakness I...

Drink more tea. It's been a permanent crutch.

You know me as a cartoonist but in another life I'd have been...

A tour guide. I was one for a couple of months on a bus. I'd like to be a walking tour guide.

The best age to be is...

26. Everyone younger than 26 wants to be a bit older and wants fewer spots. Everyone older wants to be less wrinkly.

In a nutshell, my philosophy is this:

Forward in all direction.

Alice-Azania Jarvis