The 5-minute Interview: Alexandra Fuller, author

'I'm not tough, I'm a delicate flower'

Fuller, 39, was awarded the Winifred Holtby Memorial Prize in 2002. Her latest work, 'The Legend of Colton H. Bryant', is out now.

If I weren't talking to you right now I'd be...

Walking the dogs in the beautiful Wyoming Mountains by the Snake River looking for bald eagles.

A phrase I use far too often is...

Now listen here.

I wish people would take more notice of...

Everything, to be more aware of everything around them, or at least everything they consume, from fuel to plastic bags to love.

The most surprising thing that happened to me ...

Finding out that a coming-of-age story can happen to you at any time.

A common misperception of me is...

People tend to think I'm very tough when I'm a bit of a delicate flower.

I'm good at...

Talking, and not listening enough.

I'm very bad at...

Numbers. I just shut down, especially with numbers and money.

The ideal night out is...

A night in with the dogs and a cup of tea and loads of magazines and books I haven't managed to read.

In moments of weakness I...

Wish I had got Botox and taken antidepressants.

You know me as a writer but in truer life I'd have been...

I can't imagine being anything else. I dread to think what I would do if I couldn't write.

My philosophy in a nutshell is...

Be aware of your footprint, physically and morally.

Michael Cockburn