Broadcaster, comedian and author Sandi Toksvig was born in Copenhagen in 1958 and was educated in the US before going to Cambridge University in the 1970s. She began her career performing and writing comedy for Cambridge Footlights. Her first novel, Tales from the Norse’s Mouth, written for children, came out in 1994. Her books for adults include her 2003 travelogue Gladys Reunited: A Personal American Journey and Melted into Air (2006). She has three children from a previous relationship and lives in Surrey, south-east England, with her partner.

What book changed your life?
The Women’s History of the World by Rosalind Miles.

Who is your perfect reader?
I don’t think one person would fit the bill. If I had known there was a perfect reader I would have put an ad in The Lady and saved myself a lot of bother.

What is your daily writing routine?
My life is too complicated for any kind of routine but I start most days very early in the morning and go straight to work in my office in the garden. I take coffee with me and only reappear when my bladder is in pain.

How do you cure writer’s block?
I have neither the time nor the money to suffer from it. I always have deadlines and bills to pay so I just put my head down and get on with it.

Which literary character most resembles you?
George from Enid Blyton’s Famous Five.

Who are your literary influences?
Dickens, Hardy, Austen, EM Forster and my dad.

What keeps you awake at night?
Anxiety that I could have something better.

How do you relax?
By cooking Sunday lunch for 14 people.

What is the best piece of advice a parent gave you?
My father said: “Three martinis is too many and never trust a man in a ready-made bow tie.”

When did you last cry?
When I was let down by someone I thought was a close friend.

Where is your favourite place in the world?
The Lofoten Islands in Norway.

What does it mean to be a writer?
Long hours, cramp in your back, joyous solitude, and an excusable reason to hear voices in your head.

Sandi Toksvig’s latest book is ‘The Chain of Curiosity’ (Little Brown)