So, lots of ‘stuff’ recently about the absence of powerful females in industry in general, which is reflected within the sub-strata of ‘film’– behind the camera and in front in juicy roles, instead of stereotyped as a)ditsy love-interests, b) hard-nosed bitches, c)seductresses/femme fatales, or d)tank girl-type kick-arses.

So, where are all the women? I dunno about industry, but I’m pretty sure the Church is to blame! No, I’m joking – sort of. I think women have for a long time been painted as ‘home-makers’ in Western society, with the life goal of marriage and children, and the yardstick of success the partner’s income. Anyone who breaks this mould is painted as b, c or d, and children’s film and televisions still perpetuate these models.

I was talking with my writing partner about my horror, Sequestration Manor.
It involves old people, the supernatural, death, mutilation and decapitation, as any self-respecting horror would.
We were chatting, conversationally, about the blood and gore and I caught a young man looking at us. It struck me that actually it's odd to talk about murder and evisceration. We obviously carried on - as you would, it's important to ensure your murders aren't gratuitous. I did think afterwards that a fly on the wall might call the police....
What a lovely job -well, it is as long as the anti-terrorist squad don't turn up at my house