When I finished writing a book.
When were you happiest?
Question
What most recently made you cry?
Identity & self
Question
What keeps you awake at night?
Daily life
Question
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Identity & self
Question
Aside from a property, what is the most expensive thing you have bought?
Money & investment
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How close have you come to death?
Death & what remains
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.
People are often traumatised by the sleeplessness in the first years of their children’s lives, but I was insanely happy to be married and have two children. The only dark cloud was how much we were loathed for having babies who slept through the night.
The Guardian, The Q&A, The Guardian, 30 April 2022 source ↗
Others on this question
View all 585 →
Richard Hawley
English musician
I've often reached the dizzying heights of ecstasy holding a pint of frothy seasonal ale in Fagan's pub, chatting away with Tom the landlord.
Niamh Cusack
Irish actress
When my son was born. Actually, probably a month after, when I got over the enormous responsibility of being a mum.
Martin Kemp
English musician and actor
The births of my children, Harley Moon (28) and Roman (25).
More from Olivia Williams
View profile →In rehearsals. The play is very funny about mothers and daughters, but one of the gags hit a raw nerve.
All the things I ought to have done.
My mother says I had a plan to be a farmer’s wife and a violinist, going to concerts at the Royal Albert Hall in my tractor.
An electric car.
Undiagnosed VIPoma in 2018.
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