Andrea Mara – Mad Hatter Q&A: Concept of hell? “Grocery shopping. I haven’t done it in 12 years and nothing could drag me back to it” | Hotpress

Who would be the last person you would invite to your birthday party?
In my family, we have a blacklist where we put people who do us wrong. And you pretty much can’t get off that list once you’re on it. So those people.

The first person you would invite to your birthday party?
My husband. I say this because I’m having a big birthday party next week, and he has promised to clean the house and organise the wine, so I absolutely have to invite him.

Favourite saying?
A change is as good as a rest (when I’m trying to convince myself to be brave about a change).

Favourite record?
‘Killing Me Softly’ by The Fugees.

Favourite book?
The Secret History by Donna Tartt.

Favourite film?
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.

Favourite author?
If I can only pick one, I’ll say Kate Atkinson. Or Emma Straub.

Favourite actor/actress?
Aubrey Plaza right now, though this changes all the time.

Most embarrassing moment of your life?
Oh, so many to choose from… my most recent took place a few weeks ago at a book fair in Paris, where I was told how to write ‘Enjoy the book!’ in French, and went on to write what turned out to actually mean ‘Very good book!’ on every single copy.

TV programme?
A tie between Schitt’s Creek and Stranger Things. With runners up Severance, Succession and Slow Horses. (What is it with the letter S?)

Favourite TV personality?
Graham Norton.

Favourite method of relaxation?
Saturday night wine, cheese and film with my husband or sunny afternoon in the garden with a book.

If you weren’t pursuing your present career, what other career might you have chosen?
I worked in financial services for 17 years and only left because I was made redundant. So I guess that’s the answer, but if making money wasn’t necessary, I’d love to be a photographer.

Biggest thrill?
Seeing my book on a bookshelf in a shop for the first time.

Biggest disappointment?
At the time, redundancy from my sensible office job was a huge blow, but it turned out to be the best thing that ever happened, because I decided to switch to writing books for a living.

Your concept of heaven?
A barbecue with my husband and kids, my sisters and dad, loads of food and wine, and sitting outdoors till 11pm because it’s just that warm.

Your concept of hell?
Grocery shopping. I haven’t done it in 12 years and nothing could drag me back to it.

What would be your dying words?
Could someone please remember to walk the dog.

Period of history you’d most like to have lived in and why?
1960s for the fashion and the music and the newness of everything.

If you weren’t a human being, which animal would you have chosen to be?
A dog, influenced by my dog who sleeps 18 hours a day and gets non-stop love and affection. Though I don’t love the idea of eating kibble forever.

If you were told that the world was ending tomorrow morning, how would you react/what would you do?
I would stay in my house with my kids and my husband and my dog, and maybe watch films together, so we don’t have to talk about the fairly horrendous prospect of the world ending tomorrow morning.

Your nominee for the world’s best-dressed person?
Based on my Instagram feed right now, Nicola Coughlan.

Nicola Coughlan at Bridgerton Season 3 Part Two Premiere at The Lighthouse Cinema, Dublin. Copyright Miguel Ruiz.

Favourite term of abuse?
Gobshite.

Biggest fear?
Heights. And height-adjacent things like railway platforms and pedestrian bridges over motorways.

•Someone In The Attic by Andrea Mara is out now, published by Bantam Press.