I write about strong women. Whether it's my short stories or blog or historical novels, I focus on women who stir up passionate responses.

Catherine Hokin

Catherine Hokin

I know a spell to make you fly (but you probably shouldn't use it…) I did a university thesis on superstition and politics, including the way witch trials were used against women. While researching, I got to read an actual medieval spell book. Fancy flying? Just get a red-haired Irish man, roast him on a spit, gather up all the fats that drip out and smear yourself with them. That's quite a Saturday night in anyone's book.

I come from the North of England. Which means I'm gobby, have a dark sense of humour, am never knowingly under-dressed and have a fondness for chips with gravy, Eccles cakes and very strong tea.

I'm married to an American. Which means I've had to learn to stop calling basketball a game for schoolgirls, have had to accept that talking in a Liverpool accent in Chicago may get you sectioned and I make my own tea.

I'm a certified whiskey (deliberate 'e') taster. On a trip to the Jameson distillery in Dublin I was able to identify my favourite tipple in a blind tasting of 12 whiskies and have the certificate to prove it. I have an Irish heritage, I think this ability may be coded in the DNA.

I like tv shows that feature kick-ass women. When I was writing my debut novel Blood and Roses, I had a board with pictures of Claire Underwood, Alicia Florrick and Marvel's Jessica Jones next to portraits of the novel's heroine Margaret of Anjou. Margaret may have lived in the fifteenth century but she was strong, unpredictable and dealt a hand which meant obeying rules was pointless. I think I would have liked her.

I am a massive Game of Thrones fan. I love the way the female characters have developed from being gratuitous to being the show's strength. Sansa's evolution has been exceptional (that smile as Ramsay was gently snacked on) but my favourite has to be Cersei; she is shameless in the best use of that word. She was also on my Blood and Roses board.

I have taken the plunge and am now writing full-time. It's a gamble but it's also the best thing I've ever done. The spur was a mentorship from Creative Writing Scotland to develop my second book, also historical fiction, which is now complete. This is set in the 13th century and features plague, toppling kings, scary monks and a very strong heroine.

I love the research almost as much as the writing: it takes a long time to get a historical period authentic but the process is fascinating and the nuggets of gold you find are what springboards the story.

My favourite film is 'Only Lovers Left Alive.' Tilda Swinton, Tom Hiddlestone, vampires and a post-apocalyptic indy music scene. It's like having all your favourite chocolates in one box.

I live in Glasgow, a vibrant creative city full of stories. My work might get quite dark but my writing desk is a very good place to be.