The cool Seattle-dwelling female fictionista  Katherine Owen gave me permission to copy her great idea for a personal FAQ section. In addition she called me a charmer live on Twitter, so Katherine I thank you…….

Why Copernican Inversions?

Because under this quietly understated and modest exterior lurks an inner pretentious git. But seriously folks I like the idea of turning the world, or the way we look at it on it’s head. This may be in small ways here, but if you read this blog and think a little more, laugh a little more (at me is fine) then I’m a happy bunny. Besides which we always called him Copper Knickers at school.

Why are you so bald?

Who knows? At 17 I had long hair, at 23 I had a reverse mohican. I have heard every joke and laughed at them all & frankly my dear I don’t give a damn. Do you?

Did you really invent the Smartphone?

Nope, but I did have the great honour of running the team in Nortel Networks that did. Nearly fifteen years later I still stay in touch with the team (Yes Brian I know not often enough), and have great respect for them all. So yes all of this stuff you all use and complain about is at least partly my fault (as, apparently was WWII, the demise of punk and most other historical tragedies).

Coffee or Tea?

Coffee

Ice Cream or Custard on Apple Crumble?

Custard

Who are your favourite authors?

• Charles Dickens, because my A level exam essay was about how I thought Esther in Bleak House was a lesbian.
• John Fowles, simply breathtaking.
• John Irving, wry, laugh out loud and gut-wrenching

How do you get knowledge into your head?

I read a lot of business books, and listen to audio books in the car. I also try to take away something new from every single person I meet. I’m getting into automated webinars which I can watch at odd times that suit me.

Printed or handwritten thank you notes

Handwritten

Why is your latest blog series called “Pleasingly irregular”?

Pleasingly irregular is the rough translation of Sarawadgi, the japanese principle behind zen gardening. The theory is that irregular rather than conforming is easier on the eye and more natural. Also, between us it is because it will only be published irregularly!

If you could stop now and do something different what would it be?

I quite like the idea of being an artesan pie maker – just met one and it sounds good to me. If I didn’t have to work I would buy a hillside and plant a new forest. To plant a tree is to be an optimist because the planter will never live to see it in its prime. Oh, and writing…..

FAQs will be added to over time so please check back.