Maeve Binchy: an Irish passion

Maeve Binchy: I am very inquisitive and over-interested in other peoples' lives and problems. I eavesdrop whenever I can, never hang up on a crossed line on the telephone. I feel I could run the world if someone asked me to do so. I don't think that anyone is dull; I could sit forever in a shopping mall or an airport just watching people. There's a story in everyone: a hope, a dream, a disappointment. When I'm writing, I pretend that I'm writing a letter to a friend. It's very pleasing that so many people seem to want to read the letter!

Time to retire

iVillage: What have you most wanted to do (but haven't had time for) that you want to do in retirement?

Maeve Binchy: I am full of ideas and my mind has totally refused to retire. I want to go through all my boxes of files and memorabilia. And also, I hope to sit in our garden with my husband and read thrillers, and we might go on long vacations rather than having to race back and get down to work. I'd love to wake up one morning and know that I didn't have to get up that moment!