I’m fascinated by why people act the way they do – the reasoning behind their actions, no matter how awful they may seem. So I write about the space between people, especially with regards to love, and how being in love changes who we are. I’m also particularly interested in writing about diabetes, because I’m a Type 1 diabetic.

I write fulltime… all the time, in some form or other. It’s connected to work, and play – I write for magazines and companies for work, and on my blog and in my journal for play, and I write fiction for a combination of the two.

What inspires you to write?
People. And the strange ways in which we often act. I think people are so interesting, and figuring them out is one of my favourite things to do. I’m also frequently inspired by this colourful, crazy country we live in!

Where do you write?
I write at home. I’m a homebody, and I like being close to my things, and my kettle so that I can make as many cups of tea as I like! I also like my writing environment to be still and peaceful – if I’m out I’ll spend all my time people-watching and I won’t get any writing done.

Do you ever get writers block?
I’ve never not been able to write anything, but I do think you have to respect the writing and if it’s not flowing (after giving it your best effort) you have to take some time off, and write something different, or read for a couple of hours.

Whenever I’m feeling depleted and not really in the mood for writing, I refuel. I fill myself up with inspiration – books, movies, great TV, joyful music, beautiful images – anything that will fill up my inspiration bucket again, until I’m ready to pour some writing out.

What made you decide to become a writer?
I don’t really recall it being a decision, I always felt like a writer and all of a sudden I seem to be doing it full-time. I always wanted to write and act, and I chose writing because I love the lifestyle – that you can work in your own time, in your own space, and that you don’t have to be a waitress waiting to audition for your big break.

Who is your favourite author?
That’s a completely impossible question! But I will give you two of the authors I admire the most, from books I’ve read recently – Siri Hustvedt, author of ‘What I Loved’ and Jeffrey Eugenides, author of ‘Middlesex’. They have both done things with writing that blow me away – they’re real masters at the craft.

What is your genre/style of writing?
It’s quite an amalgamation, a mixture of whimsical fiction, black humour and magical realism.

Where can we find your books?
You can find all the information you’d ever want to know (and more!) on my website, as well as podcasts of the first six chapters (introducing the main characters), a book trailer, a giveaway and my blog, which I update pretty much every day and which is all about life, and the living of it. My website is www.bridgetmcnulty.com

But the book is also available at all major bookstores, loot.co.za, Kalahari.net and amazon.com (for the US version).

What's your spice4life?
Living my best life, with as much love as possible.

What is your personal inspirational message to the women of South Africa?
Only Great Love Will Do – if we refuse to settle for anything less than the best in life, love, and everything else, we will live extraordinary lives.

What are your thoughts on leadership?
I think we should each be leaders in our own lives – each of us should try to live our best lives and illustrate to others how that is done.

Do you support or have any particular charity, cause or individual?
I’m really passionate about literacy projects in South Africa, because I think reading is so essential to a successful future. My favourite projects are Literacy for All (http://www.literacyforall.org.za/), Biblionef (http://www.biblionefsa.org.za/), and Room to Read (http://www.roomtoread.org/).

What benefits do you think a network like SPICE represents?
I think anything that brings powerful, inspired women together to create positive change is pretty wonderful, and that’s exactly what Spice4Life is doing. Great work!

If I had a lot of money, I would… Buy my childhood maid a house, my dad a 4x4, myself a flat, and hand out R100 notes to beggars every day.

In my handbag I’ve got… Too much stuff! Sunglasses, wallet, keys, cell phone, notebook (in case inspiration strikes while I’m out), at least three pens, business cards, lip gloss, insulin and a blood glucose meter (I’m a Type 1 diabetic), a small juice in case my blood sugar goes low, another notebook, my ID book, TicTacs, a tiny bell (?!), a swizzle stick to stir unmixed lime-and-sodas, two bouncing balls to keep me entertained if I’m waiting for someone, at least 15 random bits of paper and receipts, and a little tin box that says ‘Seeds: don’t plant until the ground feels really warm.’

My favourite thing in my handbag is…. The glow-in-the-dark bouncing ball that looks like an eyeball! Hilarious.

My favourite place in the world….. Home. In the back garden of my parent’s house, under the tree. It feels like absolute safety to me…

A“must have” in the travel bag is…. Water! I’ve done enough long-distance trips to know that no matter what else you leave at home, a bottle of water is an essential. There’s nothing worse than being desperately thirsty and laden down with baggage with no watering holes in sight!

I will be remembered for…. My capacity to love, I hope. Love is such a driving force in my life, and I always try and share it as much as I can. But who knows what we’ll be remembered for? I’m only 26, I hope to do many more memorable things in the next 70 years!

The things I love most are…. The people in my life, tea, fruit, fresh air, endless horizons, swimming in the sea, reading, watching movies, eating chocolate.

My favourite quote is….. “We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.” Joseph Campbell. 

Favourites:
Book – Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel.
Author – Nick Hornby (he wrote High Fidelity, About a Boy, How to Be Good etc etc)
Movie – Stranger Than Fiction
Music – Sigur Ros