FIRST IMPRESSIONS: LYNDA LA PLANTE
What are you working on?
I’m promoting The Escape, which I wrote for the Quick Reads charity to help adults less confident in their reading skills. One in six adults of working age in the UK find reading difficult, I want to help to change that.
When are you at your happiest?
Now. I received an invitation to a Buckingham Palace reception and it reminds me of the day I received my CBE.
What is your greatest fear?
Senility… What was the question?
What is your earliest memory?
Wearing a blue bonnet, a blue coat with a velvet collar and a pair of patent leather shoes. I remember it because my grandmother, who was very tall, had forgotten I only came up to her knees and my feet didn’t touch the ground as we walked along.
What do you dislike about yourself?
I purchase exceedingly large antiques on a whim. Some women choose clothes, I buy the wardrobe.
Who has been your greatest influence?
The editor Verity Lambert taught me everything a writer needs to know about writing a TV drama, film drama or novel. She was a genius and as a woman in the film industry, had no comparison.
What is your most treasured possession?
My house – it is like a childhood dream, filled with very large pieces of furniture.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
I have short legs – I don’t like them.
What trait do you most deplore in others?
Lack of respect for their fellow man.
What is your favourite book?
At the moment, having just completed it, The Secret Rooms by Catherine Bailey. It is very haunting, beautiful, well researched and, strangely, not a novel.
Your favourite piece of music?
Nessun Dorma, particularly sung by Pavarotti. Once, as I passed a small garage, it was blaring out. I thought, ‘Isn’t it wonderful, those mechanics love opera’. I didn’t know it had become popular from the World Cup.
Your favourite film?
Napoléon, by Abel Gance. I recently saw seven hours of this silent movie. It was one of the most treasured evenings of my life.
Your favourite meal?
Shepherd’s pie with crispy cheese on top.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
Napoleon Bonaparte – he was as short as I am and I think we might get along well.
What is the nastiest thing anyone has said to you?
The principal at Rada said I was plain looking and short, so I would only find middleaged character roles. It was therefore a delight when he congratulated me when I was playing the most beautiful woman in the world, opposite Anthony Hopkins in a Goldoni play.
Do you believe in aliens?
Totally. I think we have some in our garden because several koi have gone missing from the pond and we don’t have a cat.
What is your secret vice?
Cars. When I was a waitress in Regent’s Park café, a woman passed by driving a dark blue Bentley Continental. I promised myself that one day I would own one.
Do you write thank-you notes?
Yes, it is good manners. Sadly, email has replaced that moment you actually say thank-you.
Which phrase do you overuse?
‘Yes, I’ll do it!’
What would most improve the quality of your life?
A private jet – I have to travel extensively.
Tell us something we don’t know about you.
I am dyslexic; another reason to become involved with Quick Reads. The key to overcoming it is never to allow it to dent your confidence.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
‘Here lies international bestselling author Lynda La Plante CBE (one large wardrobe for sale)’.
Galaxy Quick Reads cost £1 each from major retailers or by download: www.quickreads.org.uk
I’m promoting The Escape, which I wrote for the Quick Reads charity to help adults less confident in their reading skills. One in six adults of working age in the UK find reading difficult, I want to help to change that.
When are you at your happiest?
Now. I received an invitation to a Buckingham Palace reception and it reminds me of the day I received my CBE.
What is your greatest fear?
Senility… What was the question?
What is your earliest memory?
Wearing a blue bonnet, a blue coat with a velvet collar and a pair of patent leather shoes. I remember it because my grandmother, who was very tall, had forgotten I only came up to her knees and my feet didn’t touch the ground as we walked along.
What do you dislike about yourself?
I purchase exceedingly large antiques on a whim. Some women choose clothes, I buy the wardrobe.
Who has been your greatest influence?
The editor Verity Lambert taught me everything a writer needs to know about writing a TV drama, film drama or novel. She was a genius and as a woman in the film industry, had no comparison.
What is your most treasured possession?
My house – it is like a childhood dream, filled with very large pieces of furniture.
What do you most dislike about your appearance?
I have short legs – I don’t like them.
What trait do you most deplore in others?
Lack of respect for their fellow man.
What is your favourite book?
At the moment, having just completed it, The Secret Rooms by Catherine Bailey. It is very haunting, beautiful, well researched and, strangely, not a novel.
Your favourite piece of music?
Nessun Dorma, particularly sung by Pavarotti. Once, as I passed a small garage, it was blaring out. I thought, ‘Isn’t it wonderful, those mechanics love opera’. I didn’t know it had become popular from the World Cup.
Your favourite film?
Napoléon, by Abel Gance. I recently saw seven hours of this silent movie. It was one of the most treasured evenings of my life.
Your favourite meal?
Shepherd’s pie with crispy cheese on top.
Who would you most like to come to dinner?
Napoleon Bonaparte – he was as short as I am and I think we might get along well.
What is the nastiest thing anyone has said to you?
The principal at Rada said I was plain looking and short, so I would only find middleaged character roles. It was therefore a delight when he congratulated me when I was playing the most beautiful woman in the world, opposite Anthony Hopkins in a Goldoni play.
Do you believe in aliens?
Totally. I think we have some in our garden because several koi have gone missing from the pond and we don’t have a cat.
What is your secret vice?
Cars. When I was a waitress in Regent’s Park café, a woman passed by driving a dark blue Bentley Continental. I promised myself that one day I would own one.
Do you write thank-you notes?
Yes, it is good manners. Sadly, email has replaced that moment you actually say thank-you.
Which phrase do you overuse?
‘Yes, I’ll do it!’
What would most improve the quality of your life?
A private jet – I have to travel extensively.
Tell us something we don’t know about you.
I am dyslexic; another reason to become involved with Quick Reads. The key to overcoming it is never to allow it to dent your confidence.
What would you like your epitaph to read?
‘Here lies international bestselling author Lynda La Plante CBE (one large wardrobe for sale)’.
Galaxy Quick Reads cost £1 each from major retailers or by download: www.quickreads.org.uk