I used to write in bed. For years I wrote the bulk of my books in bed, but for When I Was Invisible all of it was created at my new desk. I now have a sit-stand desk and it has made a real difference because I don't spend all my time in one position - sitting in the same position for hours is very bad for you, apparently.
Dorothy Koomson
I find it hard to let go of my characters. Even now, I still think about my characters from my earlier books and make up the next stage of their lives in my mind. I often wonder how Ceri, Amber, Kamryn and Kendra are getting on.
I'm not planning on writing sequels. Despite the fact I think about all the characters from my books long after I've finished their stories, I don't intend to write sequels to any of my novels. I think most of my characters have been through enough so I don't want to put them through any more.
I had nothing to do with The Ice Cream Girls TV adaptation. Even now, years later, people ask me about The Ice Cream Girls TV adaptation and how much I was involved with it. I don't really talk about it much, but I had no say in anything to do with the changed ending, altered characters and different killer. It's a very different story from my book, but I'm glad people enjoyed it.
I still get excited when I see my books on the shelves or a poster. Yes, I've got 11 books on the shelves, but that thrill of seeing my books up there never goes away. Wherever I go that sells books, I always have to look to see if my book is there and take a photo. I'm still waiting for the day when I have a whole shelf to myself.
I sometimes wake up my husband to ask him his thoughts on a scenario in the book I'm writing. I often have a 'light bulb' moment in the middle of the night and need to talk it through. I'm pretty sure my editor wouldn't appreciate a middle-of-the-night call so my lovely husband gets that honour. He's surprisingly good about it, too.
I was once on Ready, Steady, Cook. When I worked on 19 magazine, another journalist and I appeared on what was my favourite cooking show at the time. I was with Antony Worrall Thomson, my friend was with Ainsley Harriot and Fern Britton was the presenter. It was a dream come true. (I won.)
I often don't write in order. I write the scenes that come into my head first of all whilst I am carrying out my research and these scenes can come from anywhere in the book - end, beginning or middle. This is often my undoing when I find out from my research or from getting to know my characters better that a large part of the plot wouldn't play out in the way I've written it. A lot of unpicking and rewriting is then necessary. It's all part of the fun, though.
I eavesdrop. Some of my best ideas come from eavesdropping on people who talk loudly and unreservedly in public spaces. Mobile phones are a writer's best friend because people have some of the most private conversations on trains or in supermarkets. I love being able to fill in the blanks of the other side of the conversation and use that as the spark of an idea for a book, character or plot twist.
I've never seen anyone reading my books. Not ever. Other people have seen them being read and have told me, but I never have in the thirteen years of being published.
When I Was Invisible by Dorothy Koomson is published on 5 May 2016 by Century, price £12.99 in hardback.