I could do with a “disaster” or two in my life too of this sort. Full story here.

The increased media interest in her has meant that writing a full novel was next to impossible, she told Radio 4’s Front Row.

Lessing, 88, also said she would probably now be giving up writing novels altogether.

Her latest book is the partly fictional memoir entitled Alfred and Emily.

Since her Nobel win she has been constantly in demand, she said.

“All I do is give interviews and spend time being photographed.”

Ms. Lessing - it’s called a press agent.

As my brother says, in not so many words, when I complain about the many distractions of coming to see him, “Stop bitching, shut yourself up in the room, and just write. It’s not my fault you have the attention span of a three year old.” He’s a little bit more eloquent, but this is a family-friendly blog.

The paper I’m currently writing (about contract law and Islamic finance, if you are interested…) will be a fine work of fiction.