Townsend: Writing is a challenge

Sue Townsend has described the exhausting writing process she has to follow, as the latest instalment of her phenomenally popular Adrian Mole series is released.

The author, who wrote the first of nine Mole books in 1982, when Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 and 3/4 was published, has updated the iconic adolescent in her latest novel, Adrian Mole: The Prostrate Years, which follows the eponymous hero as he suffers from prostate cancer.

However, having experienced failing eyesight and other ailments as a result of her diabetes, Townsend said writing has become increasingly challenging.

Speaking to the Metro, the writer revealed she now dictates her work as she is unable to see her own handwriting, with her husband, son and granddaughter helping out.

'They're all in on the process now,' she explained. 'I'm in a wheelchair and can't go out on my own, I can't see where I'm going and I'm not allowed in the sunlight because of the steroids I have to take after my kidney transplant, but I still manage to write.'

'I drag myself out of my bed, go downstairs, sit in my chair and dictate. It's still possible.'

Townsend has also written a satire of the monarchy, The Queen and I, along with a sequel, Queen Camilla.