Margaret Drabble was named a dame of the British Empire in 2008 for her contribution to contemporary English literature. Her 17 novels have mirrored the changing lives of women over the past 50 years.

There's nothing wrong with smiling, but telling someone to smile probably won't make them happy. "Telling anybody to do anything can rub you the wrong way, particularly if it’s not natural to you," ...

There is something painfully organic about Mondays. From the moment my alarm goes off, I’m anxiously waiting for 5 O’ Clock. I’m always ready to get Monday done and over with. So after a particularly ...