If we understand the past, we are more likely to recognise what is happening around us.

However, the difficulties and pleasures of the writing itself are similar for a novel with a historical setting and a novel with a contemporary setting, as far as I'm concerned.

I can remember being in my pram: children stayed in their prams much longer then than they do now. A big bouncy pram with black covers and a hood with metal clips that could trap your fingers. I was looking up at my sister who was sitting on the pram seat, with her back to me.

The language has got to be fully alive - I can't bear dull, flaccid writing myself and I don't see why any reader should put up with it.