AL Kennedy has revealed that she likes to read a children's book before starting work on her novels.
The Scottish author will is preparing to release her new book All the Rage, a collection of short stories on the theme of love and intimacy, later this month.
Discussing her writing with Sam Leith as part of the Hidden Prologues series, Kennedy said: "Reading children's stories is a very pure, direct incarnation of story so it's very inspiring. I will read a children's story before I start a novel just to remember that's what it's about.
"We're not allowed to say that we just make stuff up because it's great fun but it doesn't mean it's not true."
The Hidden Prologues series aims to explore the background and inspiration authors had for their novels.
All the Rage will be released on Thursday, March 6.
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