Before I became a suspense novelist I wrote romantic suspense as Alicia Scott.

Most recently we've been working in concert situations rather than clubs. because there aren't too many rooms there like Ronnie Scott's that are pure music rooms where people come specifically to listen to music.

I've done movies with a sword before. But I haven't really been given the full responsibility of something like a Ridley Scott film.

Clearly if it is sensible to hold a referendum on independence it is crucial that we have one on marriage. It is the only way the country can move forward on this issue. Let all those who have a view on this subject place their trust in the Scottish people and let Scotland decide.

For 'So Cold the River ' I'm actually working on adapting the book with Scott Silver who was just nominated for an Oscar for 'The Fighter ' and who also wrote '8 Mile ' which I think is a terrific screenplay. The chance to work with Scott is a tremendous pleasure and I'm learning a lot.

This is truly a blessing. Breyon Prescott Peter Edge and Tom Corson believe in me and have introduced me to a home that also believes and knows exactly what to do with the type of music I'm doing.

Prescott National Forest is right on the edge of my home in Arizona.

I just read an 800-page history of the Scottish Enlightenment and honestly I may as well just start it again now because I cannot remember a single thing. I can barely remember where Scotland is.

I've started looking at my own father a bit funny. He assures me though that I really am the son of a Scottish postman.

My theory is that all of Scottish cuisine is based on a dare.

We don't really go in for big family dinners but Scottish people are famously confrontational. It's a cultural thing so maybe we don't need to have them to clear the air. Also traditional family food isn't as nice here so there's no payoff for traveling hundreds of miles.

It's quite a famous story that takes place on Christmas Eve and the Germans French and Scottish are trying to make peace one night and they bury their dead and they play football. I play a German opera singer in German which I never have so I am really excited about that.

I do not believe the picture that some people paint of Scottish towns dependent on welfare. Every time I come here I meet people who are determined to get into work. Who with the right help are desperate to get off benefits support their family and set an example for their children.

I never saw my dad cry. My son saw me cry. My dad never told me he loved me and consequently I told Scott I loved him every other minute. The point is I'll make less mistakes than my dad my sons hopefully will make less mistakes than me and their sons will make less mistakes than their dads.

Look at Scottish guys wearing kilts - you could look at them and laugh but the way they carry themselves how can you? You can wear some of the weirdest things and be cool. If you believe in it that's what makes it cool.

I think that Scottish people like Canadians are often misunderstood and what I like about my Scottish friends and relatives is how quickly it can go from love to anger. It's a great dynamic.

I thoroughly enjoyed working on Enemy of the State. Tony Scott is an important director and has an amazing ability to express himself and he doesn't do it in musical terms he does it in emotional terms. I got along really well with him.

I was speaking to Ridley Scott the other day and he makes a film every 18 months. He's amazing really.

A singer for me is more like someone who is standing alone with a microphone like Scott Walker rather than someone who is bashing a plank and is spitting all over a microphone.