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Alison Bond has worked in the film industry for ten years. She started her career at ICM as an assistant to a maniacal boss with a superstar client list and was later an agent at the Casaratto Company representing writers and directors. Her first novel, How to be Famous, was published by Penguin in 2005. The Truth About Ruby Valentine is her second novel. Alison lives mostly in London.
Favourite thing about being a writer?
Being allowed to daydream all day, as long as I write it down.
Favourite thing to snack on while writing? Tea and toast.
Favourite item in your closet?
A dress from Dorothy Perkins Maternity (I’ve never been pregnant) which cost six pounds in the sale about ten years ago and I regularly wear to summer weddings.
Favourite place(s) to shop?
Threshers.
Favourite purchase you've made recently?
A plane ticket to New Zealand to visit my good friend Sarah and her new son Charlie.
Favourite item(s) always to be found in your handbag?
Carmex and gum.
Favourite author(s)?
A lot depends on my mood, but I’ll always look out for new books by Douglas Coupland and non-fiction about the film industry. Old favourites include Armistead Maupin and Jackie Collins. I regularly push Donna Tartt’s The Secret History on the uninitiated.
Favourite movie?
This is a really tough question for a film fan. It changes from day to day so today I’ll say Moonstruck, no wait, Pleasantville, or maybe Dirty Dancing. But then there’s all the old greats like A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, and Gone with the Wind of course. Okay, Moonstruck.
Favourite place you'd like to travel to?
I like the way my heart feels around extreme scenery. I’ve always wanted to sail off the coast of Alaska.
Favourite way to spend a Saturday afternoon?
A spot of bargain hunting in Woolworths followed by back to back movies at The Peckham Multiplex.
Favourite music to relax to?
Something girly like Mazzy Star or Aimee Mann.
Favourite guilty pleasure? Reality TV and plenty of it.
Favourite thing about London? Black cabs. To me they are the ultimate luxury and every trip over the river to South London feels like a grand tour.
Favourite character from one of your novels? The one whose life story I’m working on right now. Screen diva Ruby Valentine.
Alison Bond knows all about the beautifully buffed of Hollywood from working in the film industry for seven years before writing her exceptionally funny novel, How to be Famous.
Who or what always puts a smile on your face?
America’s Next Top Model
What are you reading at the moment? Which Lie Did I Tell? – William Goldman
Which author do you most admire?
Donna Tartt. A fantastic book, millions of copies sold and the nerve to take ten years to write the next one.
What’s your earliest memory?
An Easter egg hunt, which I won despite not being able to reach up high, or walk very well. I suspect I may have had help.
What is your greatest fear?
Nuclear attack. I watched a film called War Games when I was nine or ten (not the cute one with Matthew Broderick and chimpanzees but a really bloody scary drama/documentary by Peter Watkins) I was terrified and scarred for life. My Dad said he would buy me a tin helmet.
How would you like to be remembered?
As a fine old lady.
Have you even done something you’ve really regretted?
Yep. I’m quite stupid. But I can live with it.
How do you spoil yourself?
Extended periods of inactivity.
What’s your favourite word?
Halibut.
Who do you turn to in a crisis?
My bank manager.
What makes you angry?
See above.
Have you ever had any other jobs apart from writing?
I’ve worked in the film industry since I left university. My first boss was a high-powered, very angry talent agent, who used to scream insults until he made you cry and then send you a bunch of peonies to apologise. At the end of one particularly stressful week the office was literally awash with peonies from a swanky florist, we ran out of vases. I asked him if he could just give me the cash next time, but he said that he always charged the flowers to the company.
Are you in love? Very much.
What’s your worst vice? I couldn’t pick a favourite.
What are you proudest of?
I think I’ve got a pretty good memory.
Where do you write?
At home, or on trains. Longhand on the bus. Still trying to figure out the perfect routine but starting to think it’s a myth.
Where’s your favourite city?
London, especially in the summer. I love the fact that you could live here a lifetime and still discover something new every day.
When was the last time you cried?
This morning.
One wish; what would it be?
The ability to talk to animals.
Did you enjoy school?
I did. It was a laugh.
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