Everything is personal - the poems and the crime novels. I have never been involved in any murders, but there are strong autobiographical elements in each. Sophie Hannah autobiographicalcrimeelement Change image and share on social
The brilliant thing about swimming is that, while you're doing it, there's nothing else you could be getting on with, like the ironing or sorting out the children. My mind goes into free-float mode; some of the best ideas for plots come into my head while I'm ploughing up and down the pool. Sophie Hannah brilliantchildfloat share on social
I know a lot of crime writers feel very underrated, like they're not taken seriously, and they want to be just thought of as writers rather than ghettoised as crime writers, but I love being thought of firmly as a crime writer. Sophie Hannah crimefeelfirmly share on social
What surprised me most while writing 'The Monogram Murders' was that everything I needed seemed to arrive in my head exactly when I needed it. Sophie Hannah arriveheadmonogram Change image and share on social
When my children were very young, I was slated to go on a business trip. When it was nearly canceled, I decided I wouldn't tell anyone and go off for a week's vacation anyway. In the end, the trip went off as planned. But I was intrigued by the idea of an illicit holiday. Sophie Hannah businesscanceledchild share on social
Cambridge is heaven, I am convinced it is the nicest place in the world to live. As you walk round, most people look incredibly bright, as if they are probably off to win a Nobel prize. Sophie Hannah brightcambridgeconvince Change image and share on social
Most crime fiction plots are not ambitious enough for me. I want something really labyrinthine with clues and puzzles that will reward careful attention. Sophie Hannah ambitiousattentioncareful Change image and share on social
The crimes in my books are committed by people who can't keep it together any more. They do something to express their own pain, and that has a terrible effect on somebody else. Sophie Hannah bookcommitcrime Change image and share on social
Try as I might, Agatha Christie is unique. The actual writing style can't be exactly the same, so instead of trying to replicate it exactly, the way I got around it was by inventing a new narrator. Sophie Hannah actualagathachristie Change image and share on social
A lot of women feel like they should be enjoying motherhood, they should be fulfilled and shouldn't be thinking, 'I wish I didn't have to do this.' Sophie Hannah enjoyfeelfulfill Change image and share on social