Rose Tremain
English writer
Like coming home.
What does love feel like?
Question
When were you happiest?
Time & hindsight
Question
Which moment embarrassed you most?
Failure & regret
Question
How would you describe yourself in three words?
Identity & self
Question
What scares you about getting older?
Time & hindsight
Question
Who most deserves an apology from you, and why?
Failure & regret
Question
What is the worst job you have done?
Craft & work
Originally asked
The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A
The Guardian's weekly The Q&A repeatedly uses this exact standing prompt.
You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.
Finding a tenner in your jeans pocket. It has always been there but you find it at the moment you really need it.
The Q&A, The Guardian, 18 October 2025 source ↗
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Ian McEwan
British novelist and screenwriter
Exhilarating. I’ve been extremely lucky in that the person I love, Annalena, happens to be my wife.
David Jason
English actor
Warmth and security.
Sheryl Crow
American singer-songwriter
Euphoric and very calming.
More from David Ajala
View profile →When I was naive to the complexities of life.
Helen Mirren was in the elevator with me at the National Theatre. She pressed the button but it didn’t move. I said, “Fancy seeing you here and being stuck in an elevator.” And she said, “Was that meant to be funny?” I apologised, and she laughed. Even talking about it now, it feels so awkward and embarrassing.
Curious, playful and silly.
I don’t think anything scares me. It’s a gift and I want to embrace it.
To a resistant materials teacher at secondary school called Mr Noel. He had a comb-over and whenever he turned his back to write on the blackboard, we would roll up bits of paper and launch them at his head. Once, I hit him. I remember him turning around and looking crestfallen.
Telesales – having to sell terrible kitchens. I thought, maybe I’m not a good actor because I can’t even convince myself that these kitchens are worth paying for.
More on relationships
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Stephanie Beacham, Kate Humble, Tim Minchin, Serena Williams, Midge Ure, Kelly Hoppen
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