Author Katie Fforde steps into the West Country Life spotlight

KATIE describes herself as "a novelist in my 50s with a husband, three grown-up children and currently only one dog and cat". The Ffordes live in Stroud, Gloucestershire.

What makes the West Country "home" to you?

I've lived here for 26 years and love the people, the scenery and how easy it is get to places from here. Perfect!

How do you relax?

I relax by reading, playing spider patience on my computer and watching property and cookery programmes on television. I would say I also relaxed by learning Flamenco dancing and singing in a choir but they're both hard work.

When and where are you happiest?

I'm happiest at home, either on the sofa, in front of a roaring fire, or on the deck, with a barbecue going and people arriving at any moment. I'm quite happy in my kitchen cooking Sunday lunch, too.

What's your earliest memory?

I think it must be scribbling on the wall when I was in my cot. There had been an almighty fuss about me scribbling on the wall just before this, but I found a crayon under my pillow and thought, why not?

What makes you laugh?

People, puns, Gavin and Stacey.

What do you dream of?

The usual things, all my children being happy and secure and solvent.

What is your greatest fear?

Being widowed. The sad thing is, it's quite likely to happen.

What is your worst habit?

Playing spider patience and listening to Radio 4 when I should be working.

What possession could you not live without?

My laptop, I suppose.

What is your greatest frustration?

There not being 14 months in every year.

What is your favourite book?

This is a very tough one as I love so many, but I think Friday's Child by Georgette Heyer is up there. It was the first of hers I read when I had to leave out a lot of the words because I was quite young. I became an addict from then on.

What is your favourite word?

Oft.

What would you choose to eat and drink at your last meal?

This is hard. I think my favourite food is toast and Marmite, wholemeal toast, with butter, but I'm not sure this should be a last meal. So maybe some really good steak, spinach and a really good red wine.

What or who is the love of your life?

There can be only one answer – my husband, Desmond.

Who would you invite to your dream dinner party?

This is too hard! How many is it for? I'd love to meet my grandfather, who I never knew. He would be very rude to all the other guests but it would be interesting.

What law would you introduce if you were in charge?

I wish I could make a law that no parent ever outlived a child, but otherwise I don't really know. I do feel strongly about litter, though.

What single thing would improve your life?

Being tidier!

What is your greatest achievement?

Hard to say if it's my wonderful children or writing all those books, when I never really thought I could write one!

What talent do you wish you had?

Tidiness.

How would you like to be remembered?

As someone who made people laugh and gave them something to help through the hard times.

Join Katie at Bibury Court Hotel for a literary lunch on Tuesday, October 7. From noon, there will be a three-course lunch followed by a relaxed, informative talk by Katie, the acclaimed author of 14 novels. Bibury Court is a Jacobean country house hotel in the picturesque village of Bibury, in the heart of the Cotswolds. For more information, call 01285 740337.

Katie's current novel, Wedding Season (£10.99, Century), is out now in hardback. Visit www.katiefforde.com for more information.