The inspiration for Tubing came after I saw two people who I thought were strangers touching each other up on a tube train carriage in rush hour. When they got off at Oxford Circus they held hands and started chatting and I realised they were a couple, but it got me thinking. When I started talking to friends about it, everyone seemed to think it was already a ‘thing’, I was told lots of stories about late night trysts on buses and trains. With apps like Tinder and Grindr, it didn’t seem outside the realms of possibilities that such anonymous sexual encounters could be happening.
K.A. McKeagney
I don’t believe in monogamy. I’ve always struggled with the concept of marriage and the idea of being with only one partner. I’m not just talking about sex here, being open to the idea of relationships with multiple partners is both mentally and emotionally liberating. My next novel is a thriller about polyamory, I’m hoping to turn the idea of monogamy on its head.
Roald Dahl is my favourite author. I loved his books when I was a child, then discovered all his short stories as an adult. I can’t think of any other writers who have managed to write for both audiences so masterfully.
I’m vegan, mainly for animal welfare reasons but also for environmental reasons. But I’m not militant about it, I’m a strong believer in choice. Although every time my daughter reaches for a ham sandwich at a birthday party, my resolve is sorely tested.
I’m an obsessive people watcher. I could sit in a cafe all day and just watch people go about their business. I’ve been known to shhh friends I’m sitting with so I can eavesdrop on other peoples’ conversations if things look like they’re getting interesting.
I won my first short story writing competition aged 9. I wrote a story about the word ‘yes’ being stolen from the English language.
I keep a menstrual cycle diary. But I’m not just tracking for the big event, I track changes in my mood, sleep, appetite, energy levels, aches, pains, anything that changes over the month. It’s fascinating, you discover all kinds of things about yourself. I try to plan my life around how I’ll be feeling and my energy levels at certain times of the month. I say ‘try’ because we live in a world where women’s menstruality really isn’t valued, which is such a shame because it’s a very powerful, wonderful tool.
I worked as medical writer and editor in London for many years. I loved the job, but am relieved to be writing fiction now and not constantly having to reference and qualify every sentence.
I practice yoga six days a week. I discovered Ashtanga yoga about two and a half years ago and have been hooked ever since. It’s a wonderful workout for both body and mind.
I could eat my own body weight in peanut butter.
Tubing by K. A. McKeagney is published by REDdoor Publishing in paperback at £8.99