At what age did you have your first book published?

'Nail,' my first collection of short stories came out when I was 30, but I'd been published in literary mags and anthologies since I was about 27. One of the good things about writing is you are classed as young until you're well into your 40's. Using very old photos on book covers helps.

How difficult did you find it initially to get your work published? Any tips for aspiring authors?

I was extremely lucky, in that the person I sent my first short story to, Kevin Williamson (founder of Rebel Inc magazine and imprint) liked it, agreed to publish it and encouraged and continued to publish me from that point onwards. Getting published is so much to do with luck and managing to find someone who is enthusiastic about your work. A tips for aspiring authors - take rejection on the chin. It says more about the taste of the person you have sent work to, than the quality of your work. Also, subscribe to as many small magazines as possible. They are the lifeblood of writing and deserve all the support they can get.

How do you put yourself in a teenage boy's shoes one minute, an impotent bus driver the next and then go on to explore necrophilia?

I just enjoy putting myself in other people's skins, and imagining what it would be like to be them. Also, it gives me the freedom to do exactly what I like and have hours to think up off-the-cuff one-liners. There's probably a bit of revenge in there as well.

How do you actually write? Longhand, Typewriter, Word Processor? How many hours a week do you actually spend writing or researching on average?

I tend to write my ideas/first drafts longhand, then type onto the computer and print out all subsequent drafts for editing. When I do get down to writing, I find it hard to stop and often sit up till 7 in the morning at the computer. Researching I'm doing all the time, as my work is generally realism. Administrative stuff takes ages, so I'm often knackered by the time I get things clear enough to actually write. Now I'm running the website, its even worse. It can be very distracting. Getting down to writing in the first place is the real problem.

Where does your inspiration to write come from?

My parents were very encouraging/inspiring and always wanted me to do something creative with my life. Also, basically by my obsession with observing people and my desire to describe life as I see it.

Has any writer, living or dead, been a particular inspiration to you; Why?

My two greatest inspirations are Raymond Carver, God of short stories, and Patricia Highsmith, whose twisted, psychological style of writing I just adore.

How would you describe your writing?

When people ask me what sort of things I write, I usually say, nasty stories about dysfunctional people. Really though, they are just honest stories about completely ordinary people.

What advice would you give to someone trying to get published for the first time?

Read, send stuff to and subscribe to as many small literary magazines you can afford. Publishers read them and if they like what they see, they'll approach you. Also, put your work on as many of the various new writing websites as you can. ABC Tales is particularly good as you get feedback. I don't have an agent myself but know several people that swear by them. Find magazines that publish work that you like and chances are, they'll like you. Keep at it.

My two greatest inspirations are Raymond Carver, God of short stories, and Patricia Highsmith, whose twisted, psychological style of writing I just adore.

Who are your personal favourite writers; Why?

As above, along with Alasdair Gray, Zola, Charles Bukowski, Dan Fante, DH Lawrence, Hanif Kureishi, AM Homes, Germaine Greer, Duncan MacLean, Niall Griffiths, Blake Morrison, Richard Ford, James Kelman, Irvine Welsh, Alan Warner, John Fowles, Ian McEwan, sociologist Tony Parker and another few thousand. Also, the hundreds of not-yet-famous writers that fill modern anthologies. Find unpublished writing particularly fresh and inspiring. Also love many screenwriters - Alan Bleasdale, Neil LaBute, Jimmy McGovern, Todd Solondz, Mike Leigh, Shane Meadows, Paul Laverty, Alan Bennett etc.

Who is your favourite contemporary writer; Why?

My current favourite is a writer called Alan Ram, who has recently been published in Liar Republic and the Canadian magazine, Front and Center. His work has a darkness, intensity and vitality that I just haven't read recently in the work of established writers. I'm convinced he's destined for great things and can't wait for him to be published so I can buy his books for everyone I know. I also recently read Dan Rhodes truly wonderful 1st novel, 'Timoleon Vieta Come Home' and can't wait to read his short story collection. I dearly hope he isn't serious about not wanting to write another book. It would be a sin. Also, just read Alice Sebold's 'The Lovely Bones' which I enjoyed and look forward to reading more.

Do you have one all-time favourite book? What makes it a favourite?

Lots of contenders, but probably "Lolita" as it's the most darkly comic, touching, cynical love story I've ever read and it never fails to shock and involve me. Also, Alasdair Gray's '1982 Janine' is the book that really got me interested in contemporary writing in the first place as I think the book's narrator, Jock McLeish is one of the most tangible, complex and intriguing characters I've ever come across in a work of fiction.

Are writers born or created?

A bit of both. Think there must be a creative gene, but where the compulsion that ultimately drives people to write comes from, I don't know. A need to express certain truths and pre-occupations before they die?

What are the best - and worst - things about being an author?

The best things are being able to invent characters and put them into whatever situation you choose, to play God to some extent, and also, to be able to travel in circumstances whereby, wherever you tour/read you are in a unique position to meet people who are into the same things as yourself. And obviously, the sense that you've got the cushiest job in the world.

The worst is never really being able to switch off and relax. Everything is research. Also, the nagging guilt that is always there when you're not writing. Plus, whatever you did or achieved before you became a writer, if you stop, you're seen as a complete loser. And people coming up all the time saying, "I've got a REAL story for you," or "why don't you sell as much as JK Rowlings? is a bit of a pain in the arse as well. Oh, also, I tend to smoke like a beagle when I'm writing.

Writing can be a lonely life - how do you deal with this?

I have relationships, good pals, some great folk working at my publisher's for pep talks, e.mail, a good local pub and alcohol. Failing these, I've a video recorder and a Playstation and there's always Edinburgh to go and mooch around.

Do you ever look for / find reasons NOT to write?

I never look for reasons not to write as it's my greatest pleasure in life. Life just gets in the way rather a lot. I suppose if you didn't make yourself have a break now and again, you'd go completely insane. I'm just prone to rather long breaks.

Some successful authors can earn a lot of money and live a comfortable life. How far is money a motivating factor - or would you write regardless?

If money was what motivated me, I'd have given up long ago. Before I wrote full time, I had a number of low-paid office jobs. The sort of writing I do, doesn't pay much better, but who cares? I'm doing something I love. Anything you need to do to supplement your income is all potential material, anyway. If you have any delusions about making money out of writing, forget it. It is extremely rare. Writers write because they have to. It is their compulsion. Even some of the most successful writers make very little money. The list of the 20 Best British Novelists Granta printed recently, even some of them earn less than your average office worker. The aim of writing is to be read, not to make money. Keep telling yourself that and everything else is a bonus.

Which book(s) are on your bedside table?

Dan Rhodes short story collection, 'Anthropology and 100 Other Stories,' 'JANA,' by David Veronese, Alan Warner's last book, 'The Man Who Walks' plus 'The Complete Guide to Symptoms, Illness and Surgery' which I use to dispense diagnosis to friends (a genetic thing. My mother was a medical secretary.)

There are strong opinions on whether writing courses are useful for would-be writers. Do you have an opinion?

If someone has a compulsion to write, they'll write anyway, however, I think courses allow people to get feedback on their work, from likeminded people; often encourage them to read their work to an audience for the first time, so help to increase confidence. Also, the majority of people write in isolation (be it complete, or in the absence of anyone who takes what they do seriously) and courses help them feel they are not alone.

Tell us a bit about yourself - age, hobbies, family etc (as much or as little as you wish)

I'm 36 year old geek who loves cinemas in the afternoon when there's no-one else there, a weird and wonderful array of music, supermarket psychology, playing snooker, working obsessively on her website, internet auctions, collecting memorabilia/art that isn't rubbish, gigs at the Corn Exchange, book/record/antique shops, taking folk for lunch, pub banter, travelling about the UK, the seaside, pigeons and vodka.