I’m a writer of novels and narrative non-fiction as well as radio plays, essays and short stories. Place, memory and motion are at the heart of my writing and I take Susan Sontag’s advice: ‘Love words, agonise over sentences and pay attention to the world.’ It seems to be important I engage bodily with writing, so getting mud on my boots, sleeping high up in the hills, or being slapped by salt water can all be part of my inspiration. In fiction, the interplay of character, place and the past is often my focus.