Emily Gee, the author of Thief With No Shadow, provides answers to the Solaris team's burning questions in this interview.

We’re in the bar at a convention buying you a drink—what’s it to be?
A margarita or a beer. Or if we’re not in NZ, a Marlborough sauvignon blanc to remind me of home!

What would you like people to get from your novel Thief With No Shadow?
That’s simple: entertainment.

Was there a specific message you were trying to convey?
Nope. I didn’t even know what the theme was until a friend of mine who’s an English teacher told me: finding courage.

When did you discover you wanted to write?
On a bus in the Syrian desert. Don’t ask me why it was then and there—it just was.

What’s your preferred way to relax after a long day of writing?
A long walk, and a beer or two while watching a video.

Do you prefer happy or depressing endings, and why?
Definitely happy endings. I’m not into grim reality. I read for escapism, and that’s the kind of book I write.

Do you write in silence or do you have background noise?
I prefer silence.

What was your favourite subject at school?
Latin, without a doubt!

What are your favourite song lyrics?
A song called Working by the Otautahi Allstars. The lyrics go like this: “Hey, hey, I work all day, when I get home there’s bills to pay. Hey, hey, I slave all day, got no time for play…” It’s an upbeat song, honest!

What is your favourite non-writing job you’ve held?
Probably the one I have now, working for the viticulture team at a winery.

What was your most unusual job?
A field assistant in Antarctica (for an expedition by my university geology department). My duties included fetching ice from glaciers to melt for drinking water and drilling toilet holes through 2m thick sea ice.

What do you do when you’re not working?
I don’t have much non-working time at the moment, so I’m pretty boring! I walk a lot and I go to yoga, and that’s about it.

Where is your favourite vacation spot?
Golden Bay, at the top of the South Island. I love going over the Takaka Hill to get there. Time seems to slow down. It’s laid-back and relaxing. There’s bush, beaches, art studios, and peace and quiet. My favourite beach is there: Wharariki Beach--wild and beautiful, with caves and archway islands.

If you could interview one person, past or present, who would it be?
Pliny the Younger, who witnessed the eruption of Vesuvius in AD 79.

Do you have any pets?
No. My tenancy agreement won’t let me. One day I’ll have two dogs and three cats, but for now I make do with other people’s pets.