The Inventory: Barbara Taylor Bradford

Barbara Taylor Bradford, 80, is the author of A Woman of Substance, which has sold over 32 million copies since it was published in 1979. Her novels have sold more than 88 million copies worldwide. In 2007, she was awarded an OBE for services to literature.

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What was your earliest ambition?

When I was 10, my mother sent a little story I’d written to a children’s magazine. I got a postal order for seven shillings and sixpence. My destiny was sealed.

Public school or state school? University or straight to work?

Christ Church, a C of E primary school in Armley [Leeds], where I grew up. From nine to 16, I was enrolled at a private girls’ school, Northcote. I went to the best university in the world – a newspaper office. I got myself out of the typists’ pool at the Yorkshire Evening Post and became a copy boy and eventually they sent me out on a story.

Who was your mentor?

My mother. She encouraged me to pursue my dream. When I was a young woman on Fleet Street, I met Cornelius Ryan [the Irish journalist and author]. He said, “Every day you should write four pages.” It’s because of him that I’ve never had writer’s block.

How physically fit are you?

Very, touch wood. I look after myself.

Ambition or talent: which matters more to success?

Talent isn’t enough. To be a novelist, you’ve got to want to do the work more than you want to do anything else. And you have to have an imagination. You’ve got to be able to tell a lot of lies, basically!

How politically committed are you?

I’m a journalist and I want to know who’s killing whom in which country today. I believe that the press must have the freedom to write the truth.

Do you consider your carbon footprint?

I turn out lights and I’m good about garbage. I hate plastic bags.

Have you ever taken an IQ test?

No.

Do you have more than one home?

No. We have an apartment in New York. In London, we stay at the Dorchester – it’s like coming home.

If you had a coat of arms, what would be on it?

I have one, from when I got my OBE. It has the white rose of Yorkshire, two swans with necks conjoined, each with a golden quill pen in its beak, and deers’ antlers. Underneath, the motto Loyalty Binds Me.

What would you like to own that you don’t currently possess?

I can’t think of a single thing.

What’s your biggest extravagance?

Always having a car pick me up, because I’m always running late.

In what place are you happiest?

Anywhere my husband Bob is.

What ambitions do you still have?

My ambition is to die at my desk. I love work.

What drives you on?

The adventure of sitting down and starting a new novel.

What is the greatest achievement of your life so far?

Being married to the same man for 50 years. We’re lovers, friends, partners, we’re a team.

What has been your greatest disappointment?

That my parents didn’t live long enough to see what I’ve achieved. And not having had a child. I had two miscarriages and didn’t get pregnant again.

If your 20-year-old self could see you now, what would she think?

She would be pleased. I think I’ve gone beyond my own expectations.

If you lost everything tomorrow, what would you do?

Start again. I can’t accept failure.

Do you believe in assisted suicide?

Yes, if someone is desperately ill or in pain, or out of it mentally. But I could never help Bob to commit suicide. I love him too much.

Do you believe in an afterlife?

I don’t know anybody who’s come back and told me they’re here again, but I think it’s very arrogant to say I don’t believe it. I just don’t know!

If you had to rate your satisfaction with your life so far, out of 10, what would you score?

Eight.

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‘Cavendon Hall’, Barbara Taylor Bradford’s 29th novel, is published by HarperCollins on February 3