Sue Townsend
Sue Townsend
Susan Lillian "Sue" Townsend, FRSLwas an English writer and humorist whose work encompasses novels, plays and works of journalism. She was best known for creating the character Adrian Mole...
NationalityEnglish
ProfessionNovelist
Date of Birth2 April 1946
afford car children driving guilt holes lessons poor school send small three wearing
Being poor with three small children is terrifying. You can't make any plans. You know you're not going on holiday, ever. There's no way you could ever afford driving lessons or a car. And the guilt I used to feel: they had holes in their shoes, and at one point, I had to send them to school wearing Wellingtons when the sun was shining.
bear dreaded hear music rather scared talk though
When I was a child, I dreaded blindness. We used to ask: 'Would we rather be blind or deaf?' I said I'd rather be blind, even though I was scared of it. I couldn't bear not being able to hear music or talk to people.
build dark feeling followed good life pockets price primitive secrets
My dark secrets are life threatening. Pockets of unhappiness set in aspic that build and build. I have this primitive feeling that if something good happens, it is going to be followed by something bad. There is always a price to pay.
across carrying desert feet food god hard image knowing running trying woman
I always have this image of a woman running across a desert carrying children, trying to find water and food, not knowing when they'll get that. And her feet are slashed up from the dry, hard earth... Even when I'm uncomfortable, sometimes in pain, or just cold... I think, 'Thank God for what I've got.'
certain easier maintain people
I am a very independent person, and I, you know, I maintain that independence, but, you know, certain things - I mean, it takes, you know, it's just much easier for other people if other people can help you every now and again.
bit madame women
I always wanted to be Jo in 'Little Women.' She's a bit reckless and feckless, always getting into trouble like me. But I'm probably more like Madame Bovary.
became carried five hardly slept
I became an insomniac, really, hardly slept at all, didn't even try to. And it's carried on. I hate to say I only need as much sleep as Mrs. Thatcher, but I can cope really well on five hours.
encouraged group husband local second
My second husband encouraged me to go to a writing group at our local theatre. It was my 'coming out of the closet' moment.
cream people
My cream and black Aga. It is the heart of the house, and people congregate around it.
bite call harmless people takes
I hate it when people call me a 'national treasure.' It takes away your bite and makes you feel like a harmless old golden Labrador.
lack piece seems spend start thinking time work
Lack of confidence - every time I start a new piece of work, it seems I have to spend a long while under the duvet thinking I can't do it.
easily quite
I seem to be able to get depressed quite easily without any reason.
hard laugh life
I take life very seriously. I can laugh at it, because what else can you do? But it's a hard daily battle.
barbara dame furs grand people taylor
I always feel as if I'm a disappointment: that people want a grand dame in furs like Barbara Taylor Bradford.