What Matters to Me: Denise Mina, writer

By GABY SOUTAR
Published on 09/09/2012 17:13

Who would attend your fantasy dinner party? All my old flatmates from when I was a student.

Whom did you last text? Play date arrangements. It’s like the court of St James at our house.

It’s not cool but... I’m in the WI.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? George Pelecanos [writer of The Wire] told me not to take a job away from home while my kids are small. He said you never get that time back. He’s dead right.

What’s the worst job you ever had? As a cook in a nursing home.

Who is your favourite fictional character? Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird.

What are you most afraid of? Losing my temper.

Did you have a nickname growing up? Mini Mina. I had a big sister.

What situations make you lose your temper? Tiredness, hunger, worry and fright. I have no sense of proportionality.

If you could choose a profession that you would like to try, what would that be? Joiner. I love woodwork but I think it’s a hard life. A dilettante joiner, maybe.

What food or drink is always in your fridge? Full fat milk, eggs and good salted French butter.

If you could change something about yourself, what would it be? I’d be tidy.

If you could travel back in time, where would you go? To the Eighties and tell myself it would be all right.

Saturday night or Sunday morning? Sunday morning – waking up to the smell of strong, chocolatey coffee, then toast and the papers.

Who or what is the love of your life? Three guys: two small, one big and hairy.

• Denise Mina is appearing on 16 September, 12:30pm-1:30pm at the Stirling Highland Hotel as part of the Bloody Scotland crime writing festival. Tickets £7, www.bloodyscotland.com