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I'm passionate about old people because I am one myself.

My grandmother lived with us for a short time while I was a child. Old people tend to be slightly more eccentric - they can behave the way they want.

I was fortunate to be raised by loving grandparents.

I've been doing old-people things since I was a child.

I think about my father and how sad it was that he never had grandchildren.

I enjoyed my grandparents very much. My mother and father would always allow me to stay with them.

I've been accused of being old before my time more than once. It's true that I've always felt an affinity for, and been comfortable around, older people. I attribute this to a childhood spent around my grandparents - and even a great-grandparent or two. I wouldn't trade those experiences for anything.

I have a wonderful respect for old people.

Part of what I loved - and love - about being around older people is the tangible sense of history they embody. I'm interested in military history, for instance, because both my grandfathers fought in World War II. I'm interested in writing because one of those grandfathers wrote books.

My dad lived till he was 78, my mum was in her 80s, and I've got two uncles who are in their 90s now.