by Mary Hooper
Walsham, Alexandra. Providence in Early Modern England. Oxford: The Clarendon Press, 1999.
Wood, Anthony A. The Life and times of Anthony A. Wood Antiquary of Oxford 1632-1695. Oxford Historical Society.
Wrighton, Keith. English Society 1580-1680. London: Routledge, 2004.
Zimmer, Carl. Soul Made Flesh: Thomas Willis, the Discovery of the Brain and How It Changed the World. London: Heinemann, 2004.
National Archives. “Oxford Circuit Assizes from 1627.” www.nationalarchives.gov.UK
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questions for the author
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MARY HOOPER
What was your worst subject in school?
Math and anything sporty.
What was your best subject in school?
English language/literature. (Now there’s a surprise.)
What was your first job?
I was a window dresser. Completely unqualified, of course—I was only 15.
Where do you write your books?
In the spare room downstairs, surrounded by lots of bits and pieces: postcards, dried flowers, photographs, a whole warren-full of SylvaC rabbits (from the 1930s), a tree with sparkly lights, a dressmaker’s dummy laden with costume jewelry, pictures—oh, and just a few books.
Where do you find inspiration for your writing?
Once I have the basic framework or theme, I then start on my research and this is where the book comes to life.
Which of your characters is most like you?
They are all a little bit like me—and I am a little bit like them.
When you finish a book, who reads it first?
My husband, Richard. He’s great at picking out what’s wrong with it. And then, after getting indignant at all his suggestions, it usually goes off to my editor unchanged.
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
A day person!
Which do you like better: cats or dogs?
Cats.
What do you value most in your friends?
Reliability.
Where do you go for peace and quiet?
Into the bathtub.
What’s your favorite song?
At the moment, Noël Coward’s “There Are Bad Times Just Around the Corner”—it never fails to make me giggle.
Other than that, something by the Rolling Stones or Neil Young.
Who is your favorite fictional character?
William from the Just William books.
What are you most afraid of?
Harm coming to my family.
What’s your favorite TV show?
Six Feet Under.
Who is your favorite poet?
Philip Larkin.
If you were stranded on a desert island, who would you want for company?
My husband (I’d better say that).
If you could travel in time, where would you go?
Back, back, back!
What’s the best advice you have ever received about writing?
You’ve got to get it wrong, to get it right.
What do you want readers to remember about your books?
Just remembering that they’ve enjoyed them would be enough.
What would you do if you ever stopped writing?
Retrain as a midwife. That must be the most exciting, satisfying, thrilling job ever.
What do you like best about yourself?
The fact that I rarely get het up about things.
What is your worst habit?
Really! Am I going to tell you that? Oh, okay, what about looking on Amazon obsessively to see how my books are doing?
What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment?
Having raised two happy children.
Where in the world do you feel most at home?
In my own sitting room.
What do you wish you could do better?
Swim, paint, sew, cook, ride, dance—the list goes on.
What would your readers be most surprised to learn about you?
In June, I am doing a surfing course. So you can soon add surfing to the list above.