The Writers Write Interview – Alexandra Fuller
Read our Writers Write Interview with Alexandra Fuller, the Zimbabwean born memoirist.
The Writers Write Interview With Alexandra Fuller
Author: Alexandra Fuller
Birthday: 1969
Date: 25 July 2005
Where: Emses, Sandton, South Africa, and then, via email
The Book: Scribbling the Cat (Picador Africa)
1. Who is your favourite hero of fiction?
I relate best to the anti-heroes. Some of V S Naipul’s tragically humiliated characters are, I think, among some of the most sympathetic characters ever drawn and I find myself caught up by their very real stories. Coetzee’s Michael K haunted me for months after I put that book down. Steinbeck drew such beautifully flawed characters in Cannery Row but I loved Doc, his simpliicty and humanity.
2. What is your most treasured possession?
My son thought it was “Sunday”, my horse. But I don’t see animals as possessions (I am theirs, more likely) so my books (collectively).
3. Which living person do you most dislike?
George W Bush (that was easy)
4. What is your greatest fear?
Well, aside from the obvious fear that something happens to one of my children or my family or my animals… I suppose that I fear humans will destroy themselves and their planet through arrogance.
5. Who or what has been the greatest love of your life?
My husband and children
6. What is your greatest regret?
I have none. Life is too short to look back and worry about what might have been.
7. If you could choose to be a character in a book, who would it be?
I can’t imagine wanting to be any character in the sort of books I read – they really seem to have such a rough time of it.
8. Which book have you read the most in your lifetime?
The Meadow by James Galvin
9. What is your favourite journey?
Home
10. What do you most value in a friend?
Security
11. What quality do you most admire in a woman?
Honesty (men too)
12. Which book that you’ve written is your favourite?
Scribbling The Cat
13. What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
Write
14. What are your favourite names?
Wangari, Kafue, Brucie
15. What do you do as a hobby?
Ride horses, walk, and read.
16. What are your top three books?
- They change every year
17. Where do you get your greatest ideas for writing?
From being alive
Via email, 25 July 2005