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I've always loved books by the Bronte sisters. I love Jane Austen, too. I'm more influenced by people like her than by pop culture.

I also wanted to do something that I hadn't really seen in almost any black novels, which was a complex love story in which both people were extremely intelligent and talented and understood a lot of things and were still at odds getting it together.

Before 'Austenland,' I got do a lead role in 'Northanger Abbey', which is Jane Austen. Growing up in England, you can't really ignore Jane Austen. It's always been there.

In all my novels, I deal with the many problems and prejudices which exist for Black people in Britain today.

My first two novels were very black comedies.

I kinda go for the Jane Eyre type of film. I am fascinated by classics.

Perhaps I am old-fashioned, but black and white films still hold an affectionate place in my heart; they have an incomparable mystique and mood.

One aspect of my mum's personality that has influenced me is her love of Hollywood and the golden era of black-and-white films.

I identify entirely with Jane Austen's point of view, on everything.

I actually didn't like Jane Austen. I was more into the Brontes. They were so wild and passionate. I thought there was something a bit tame about Austen.