If I ever finish 'Closet', my thoughts will quickly turn to best-selling novel or memoir number two. Try this for size: the current frontrunner is a memoir called 'California Dreamin'...
After being swept off my feet by a stunner of a woman (now more commonly known as 'her indoors') I quit my glamorous job for Harpers Bazaar and moved to sunny California in 2001. And in order to get a visa I found myself doing a free internship for a bizarre liberal arts (read porn) theater in San Francisco. Additionally, in order to earn some hard (under the table) cash I was the Assistant to the Peninsula Pet Person, not to mention Mary Poppins to a three year old devil child and his equally demonic puppy, called Panda. Obviously, there are more than a few stories there to eat out on, the things we do for love eh!
When not writing or selling ads, I love music, travelling, Chinese food (does anyone know why they don't make pot stickers in the UK?) and Tamara de Lempicka. Oh and on a more sinister note, I have unbridled hatred for Keira Knightley - nobody knows why, least of all me! It started in Love Actually and rose to fever pitch in that Pirates film with Johnny Depp. Sorry Keir, no offence intended.
I'd like to meet:
Beth Orton because I've had a crush on her since she played a free gig at UEA 10 years ago and her music has been a bit of a soundtrack to my life ever since.
I'd also be just slightly ecstatic to meet an agent who thinks they can secure a six figure sum for my first novel!
And Augusten if you ever find yourself in Bristol, the kettle's always on...
Aside from that anyone who will have me - not in the biblical sense though people, I'm a married woman!
Music:
Tamar Zak-Collins - also known as my good wife Mrs Aston, Josh Rouse, Beth Orton, Ryan Adams, Whiskytown, Wilco, Old 97's, Emmylou Harris, Caitlin Cary, Josh Pyke, Gillian Welch - anything alt-country, I obviously came from the deep South in a former life, or Dolly and I were separated at birth or something. I can also be found chucking a few moves on the dancefloor to the likes of Erasure, The Pet Shop Boys, old skool Madonna, The Cure, REM and all the other 80s and early 90s greats. And obviously, like any self-respecting gay man trapped in a lesbian's body, I just love the Scissor Sisters. Ta-Dah!
Movies:
Brokeback Mountain, Capote, Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, Garden State, Moulin Rouge, The Hours, Monster, All the 80s Brat Pack stuff, Footloose, Most Richard Curtis films and if he'd like to turn 'Closet' into a movie, then I'd be happy to chat, my busy schedule permitting of course.
Television:
America's Next Top Best Friend is my new favourite show, especially because I love watching Tyra's facial expressions. She could win a West Country gurning competition the way she goes on!
And dare I admit it...Extreme Makeover: Home Edition - it regularly has me in floods of tears, despite the fact that it's cheesier than a hunk of gorgonzola.
Books:
Augusten Burroughs is a huge God, so anything by him and Once in a House on Fire by Andrea Ashworth is equally wonderful, poignant and so on.
Check out www.alisonaston.com to read an excerpt of my novel.
As you might imagine, I have a rather large appetite for books in all shapes and sizes, so much so that I've just started up a gay book/writing group called Gaywrite. So if you're reading this, you're in Bristol and environs, and you want to join us, then please check out our myspace page: www.myspace.com/gaywrite (shameless plug there!)
Heroes:
Augusten - I am not a sycophant, honest! He's a real inspiration.
