The Hazlitt Offensive: Anna Hope

By Hazlitt

Anna Hope is an English writer and actress from Manchester. Her debut novel, Wake, is set after World War I where three different women try to live after dealing with loss.

1. What are three words you associate with your first relationship?
Cheeky Schoolday Shenanigans.

2. What’s the worst thing you ever did for money?
I was an on-off actor for years and supplemented my meager income with all sorts of part time jobs. I life modeled a lot. Once I accepted an invitation to model for a guy in his home. He seemed fairly normal, but when I got to his apartment, I saw he had all these My Little Pony dolls arranged in rows on his shelves. I couldn’t get away from there fast enough. I’m not sure I modeled again after that.

3. What is your least favourite song?
I can’t stand “Black” by Pearl Jam.

4. What is your favourite song?
“Reckoner” by Radiohead.

5. What’d you have for breakfast this morning?
A bowl of porridge, honey and rice milk. And some sort of coffee substitute called No Caf. It’s as devoid of fun as it sounds. I’m trying to give up caffeine.

6. How do you feel about Joni Mitchell?
I feel pretty good about Joni. I love “Blue.” I heard she broke up a functioning relationship just so she would have something to write songs about. I’ve no idea if that’s true but I admire that kind of resolve.

7. How did you learn what sex was?
My mum explained it all fairly early on.

8. Where do you imagine all our lost T-shirts go?
Hmmm.

9. Who do you consider the funniest person in the world—that we would know?
I’m bad at remembering to watch comedy. Whenever I do I’m pleasantly surprised. Doug Stanhope’s pretty funny, I’ve seen some of his recent stuff.

10. What’s the worst insult you’ve ever said?
I’ve been known to utter some filth in my time.

11. What’s the worst thing you’ve ever been called?
When I was about seventeen someone once took the trouble to lean out of a bus window and shout that I was an ‘ugly bitch.’

12. What’s a deal breaker for someone you’re in a relationship or in love with?
I’ve been with my husband for so long that I can’t remember what a bad relationship feels like. He’s a very lovely man.

13. What’s something you do every night before bed?
I’m an over zealous brusher of my teeth.

The Hazlitt Offensive appears every Tuesday.