I wanted to show platonic friendship between men and women, because I think it is underutilised in fiction.

If you start a new career at 40, you've still got another 35 years to go.

I've always found Glasgow to be a wonderful city - warm and funny and full of kindness.

'Eleanor' was so much fun to write, because there's a brutal honesty about her. She's got no filters and no concept of social norms.

I had been thinking about social awkwardness and about people you meet who are not bad people - there is nothing wrong with them, but they are just a little bit awkward, and it makes you feel uncomfortable, and it makes you want to bring the encounter to an end. I thought, 'Is there a reason for that? What has contributed to their demeanour?'