Philippa Gregory: What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy? — FLAPSS

The question

What period or moment in your life brought you the most joy?

Originally asked

The Guardian, to a different person each week, The Q&A

Asked in 52 of the 131 consecutive instalments of The Guardian's The Q&A harvested on 2026-08-29.

You answer as yourself. Nobody on FLAPSS answers as anybody else.

PG

Philippa Gregory

Recorded said elsewhere, not written here

I’m a lucky woman – I was walking in the rain yesterday and was really happy.

The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 March 2024 source ↗

Others on this question

View all 577 →

Steve Coogan British actor and comedian

I would like to say right now, but probably childhood – though even that may be wrong, so I'll say six weeks ago walking in the Lakes.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 16 January 2010 source ↗

Right now, here with you. Let’s not ruin it by talking.

Recorded Vanity Fair, The Proust Questionnaire, Vanity Fair, May 2010 source ↗

Julia Stiles American actress

This morning when I woke up. I am generally happy.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 4 July 2015 source ↗

Meg Rosoff American novelist

Swimming in the North Sea at midnight, surrounded by phosphorescence.

Recorded The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 23 November 2013 source ↗

More from Philippa Gregory

View profile →

Question What would you most want to leave your children? Death & what remains

I’d like them to inherit my optimism.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 March 2024 source ↗

Question Which trait in yourself do you like least? Identity & self

I’m lazy domestically. I don’t do housework. My mother would have called me a slut.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 March 2024 source ↗

Question What thought won't let you sleep? Daily life

An exciting idea. I usually write for an hour or so, and then I go to sleep.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 March 2024 source ↗

Question What trait do you most dislike in other people? Values & belief

Trolling, meanness and male violence.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 March 2024 source ↗

Question What do you fear most? Identity & self

I am spooked by water underground, water in drains and water in machinery. I am very frightened of mill wheels.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 March 2024 source ↗

Question What disappointment has stayed with you longest? Failure & regret

I was very sorry to stop at two children – I would have liked to have had a third – and I am very sorry to have got divorced.

Recorded The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 March 2024 source ↗

More on time & hindsight

Also answered this

Patti LaBelle, Aretha Franklin, Lucy Beaumont, Sally Bercow, Marianne Faithfull, Graham Norton

Search the directory for somebody in particular.

Explore further

All time & hindsight questions
The The Q&A questionnaire — 25 questions from the same format
Explore the archive — by field, age, era, and subject

Report this answer