Welcome to the first ever post in my new blog segment, ‘Juliet’s Ten Awkward Author Questions’!

In this new segment, authors will be subjected to a list of awkward questions that may reveal more about themselves than they really wish to share, and they will receive a score on the ‘Braveometer’. If they choose to answer only five questions, they are a ‘Brave Author’, if they answer 6 to 9 questions they are a ‘Mega-Brave Author’, and if they answer all 10 questions they are an ‘Ultra-Brave Author’!

Welcome to my first victim, Sue Moorcroft…

1. If only one of your books could have been published, which one would you choose? (C’mon, I don’t want to hear ‘Oh, I love them all, there’s no way I could choose.’ Time to be ruthless, these are the Ten Awkward Questions after all!)

Love & Freedom. The reason is simple—it has just won an award and so I love it best, at the moment! Also, it’s my most recently published book, and I do think that I improve as I age. Like champagne.

2. Okay, now which one of your children/family members would you… nah, just kidding! Which of the following words most accurately describes your best personality trait (you must pick only one!): Punctual. Good listener. Neat.  Graceful. Generous. Cheerful.

Cheerful. Not all the time, naturally, but mainly. Except when the WIP has turned to treacle, of course. (But that’s quite understandable, right?)

3. Which of the following words most accurately describes your worst most challenging personality trait (even if you’re perfect, you must pick one): Always late. Blabbermouth. Slob. Complete klutz. Scrooge. Grumpy pants.

Got to own up to blabbermouth. I prefer to say ‘a good communicator’, though.

4. Have you ever had a romantic crush on one of your characters? Who and why?

Of course! All of my heroes! I fall in love with them and actually feel guilty about moving between them. Ratty, from Starting Over holds the largest part of my heart (and other bits) and has actually attracted fan mail of his own.

5. When writing an important scene, do you act it out to allow you to better describe what’s happening?

Not completely, but I do speak dialogue aloud. I found myself doing this in the park, recently and got an odd look from a passing guy with a dog. (From the guy. The dog didn’t seem to mind.) And I kind of discuss awkward scenes with myself on paper. For this process, it has to be pen and paper, not keyboard and computer screen. And, of course, I often try things my characters are doing, in the name of research. I’ve just learned to drive a 28’ river cruiser.

6. Do you talk to yourself when writing or coming up with plot ideas?

Yup! See above.

7. Who would be ideal to play YOU in a movie of your life?

Marge Simpson.

8. If you could be any book character for one day, who would you be and why?

I would be Jean Paget from Nevil Shute’s A Town Like Alice, because I have long been in love with Joe Harman, the man who was crucified for her. Although I’m not sure I could survive the two years as a prisoner of war that she suffered.

9. You’re about to be left on a deserted island for a year, and while your basic food and water needs will be met, you can only bring one extra thing from the following. Which would you choose?

a) A pen and notepad that never runs out

b) An unlimited supply of books

c) An unlimited supply of chocolate, coffee, or alcohol (your choice)

d) A gorgeous man/woman depending on your preference

b) Books! But I would cry, daily, for the rest, except the coffee. Oh, and the woman.

10. If you had the attention of the whole world for two minutes what would you say?

Please stop killing each other. And buy my books.

Sue Moorcroft’s website is here.

Thanks Sue, you have been awarded ‘Ultra-Brave Author’ status on the Braveometer!