The 5-minute Interview: Freya North, Novelist

'In another life I'd have been a Thomas Hardy heroine'

(Carlos Jasso)

North, 40, has published nine novels since her debut in 1996. Her latest book, 'Pillow Talk', won the 2008 Romantic Novel of the Year Award.

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

Riding my horse bareback. I now practise natural horsemanship which is utterly compelling, and a fantastic balance to sitting at a computer, which I've been doing all my life.

A phrase I use too often is...

Gordon Bennett! I asked my daughter who the Prime Minister was and she said Gordon Bennett.

I wish people would take more notice of...

What's above eye level. Whether it's buildings, trees or skies, just take a moment to look up.

I am not a politician but...

I wouldn't mind having a poke around the House of Commons. I bet there are corridors with little rooms where in the past all sorts of mischief has happened, which you don't see on television.

I'm good at...

Affection.

I'm bad at...

Confrontation.

In weak moments I...

Let my imagination run riot. I can make a drama out of nothing .

In another life I'dhave been ...

A Thomas Hardy heroine.

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

Landing my publish-ing deal. Everyone told me to get a proper job, but nine novels later, I'm having the last laugh.

A common misperception of me is...

I get up to all the kinky shenanigans of the characters in my novels.

My philosophy is this:

You can't change your past, but you can shape your future.

G J Buckell