What is your idea of perfect happiness?
The house to myself, the couch to myself, a great book, a glass of wine and chocolate.
Which historical figure do you most identify with?
I’ve never thought about this. I could Google it...
Which living person do you most admire?
Minister Mary Harney - she reminds me of an orphaned terrier in a cage of coyotes, fighting a thankless battle with no hope of success.
Which is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
The vaguely manic protectiveness I have over my food.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Not shopping in Penney’s.
What is your favourite journey?
The trip home to Galway.
On what occasion do you lie?
I try never to lie because I always get caught.
Which living person do you most despise?
I don’t.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My family and food.
When and where were you happiest?
When I got the first copy of my first book in the post.
Which talent would you most like to have?
To sing. If I could, I’d never stop.
What is your current state of mind?
Slightly aggrieved. Turns out I’m not really very funny.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Managing not to look over my shoulder when I was asked to write a book. And then writing it.
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what do you think it would be?
Ooooh. Can I be a superhero?
What is your most treasured possession?
I have one old copy of Pride and Prejudice that I just adore. The smell of it and the feel of it. Priceless.
What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
Being out of chocolate when all the shops are closed.
What is your favourite occupation?
Writing about something that matters.
What is the quality you most like in a man?
Height.
What is the quality you most like in a woman?
Honesty.
Who are your favourite writers?
Enid Blyton, Yann Martel, Patricia Cornwell, Jane Austen....there can be no best.
What is your motto?
Everything happens for a reason.
Sarah McInerney is author of Where No One Can Hear You Scream (Gill & Macmillan ) a non-fiction account of murder and assault in the Dublin/Wicklow mountains. Originally from Barna, Sarah works with The Sunday Times.
