I'm not quite as bendy as I used to be and had to be helped down. This was in order to collect photographic reference for my graphic memoir. Who is the first person you try your work out on? Why choose them and how much do they influence you? My husband. He's also an artist and fairly well read, so I trust his judgement -- mostly. Having another creative person handy with whom to discuss ideas can be a great influence. We don't have children of our own so I can't test ideas out in that way. However, one of the things I learnt from writing courses was that one's own children aren't necessarily the best judges of a good story; much of their delight comes from the undivided attention of the carer, and a cuddle, rather than any literary prowess on the adult's part. I also have one or two writing friends whom I can trust to be honest. The last thing you want is someone who simply tells you it's great because they don't want to hurt your feelings. On the other hand, you don't want people to thwack you over the head with your manuscript when they think it stinks. It's a tricky balance at times. Do you have a favourite character that you've written or illustrated? Sledgehog is my firm favourite (as yet unpublished) character. She's the speediest sledging hedgehog in the whole wide hill. She gets herself into a few pickles, but she's daring and