I had such fun a few weeks ago meeting up with an old friend, author and lifestyle blogger Gillian D’Achada at Alnwick Castle in Northumberland. Gill and I were once part of a writers’ circle in Kalk Bay, South Africa in the late 1990s and early naughties that eventually became a writers’ line when only she and I remained. Gill I think was the first person to encourage me to become a full-time author and I am forever grateful for her support. Over the years she and I have stayed in touch and I was privileged to edit her award-winning youth novel, Sharkey’s Son for Tafelberg Press. Here I am talking to her about how reading classic literature doesn’t have to be hard work – and how some classics have influenced my own writing of The Jazz Files.

PS Yes I’m aware I made a mistake on Homer’s dates. He lived and wrote in the late 8th Century BC, not 4th Century. Forgive me darlings!