Malorie Blackman

Where and when were you born?

Clapham in South London, February 8th 1962.

What were you like at school?

I was a bit of a dreamer and I was always getting told off for laughing too loudly. I'm afraid I still laugh too loudly, but at least no one tells me off any more! People always mention my laugh though… can't think why!

What was your favourite subject at school?

English. Followed by Chemistry, although I wasn't terribly good at it. My worst subject was Maths, even though I enjoyed some aspects of it. The most boring subject was Geography.

Did you always want to be a writer?

Not when I was at school, I wanted to be an English teacher but tripped and fell into Computing instead. I worked in the Computing industry a number of years, after which I did an acting course, then became a writer.

What inspired you to be a writer?

When I was a kid I was always trying in vain to find books in the library with black central characters. This made me want to create stories that showed black children just getting on with their lives, having adventures, like all the white characters I read about as a child.

What would you do if you weren't a writer?

If I wasn't a writer, I'd still like to be involved in books in some way, so maybe I'd work in a publishing house, or in a bookshop or as a librarian or as an agent. I'm not sure, but definitely something to do with books.

Do you write every day?

I try to. I work whilst my daughter is at school.

What's your favourite song?

That's so hard! Love Will Find A Way by Lionel Richie and I Want You by Marvin Gaye. I love, love, love music.

What's your favourite book?

There's no way I can just pick one. But I try to read everything by Philip Pullman, Philip Ridley, Catherine Johnson, Jacqueline Roy, Jacqueline Wilson, Melvin Burgess, etc. One book that would be in my top ten though would be Holes by Louis Sacher. If you haven't read it, get hold of a copy as soon as possible.

Where do you get your ideas from?

I get asked that question a lot. Ideas come from anywhere and everywhere — you just have to be open to receiving them. My ideas have sprung from newspaper articles, things on the telly, conversations I overheard, things I saw in the street, visits to other countries — like I said, anywhere and everywhere.

Which person, living or dead, do you most admire, and why?

Nelson Mandela for everything he has done.

What's your most disgusting habit?

Well, it's not disgusting but I dance in the rain and that embarrasses my daughter!

What word or phrase do you most over-use?

Saying 'absolutely' too often.

What's your greatest ambition?

To be at peace! Also if I could have one selfish wish in this world, I'd wish I could sing.