Jane Fallon on writing her latest novel at 5am and her jet-set lifestyle with partner, Ricky Gervais

Jane Fallon, 56, is a television producer- turned-novelist. She lives in London with her partner, comedian Ricky Gervais. Here she shares her work-life balance secrets

The earlier I wake up the better my day, so I try to get out of bed between 5am and 7am. I do 10 minutes of yoga stretching, which makes me feel brilliant, then I feed the cat, make myself a cup of tea and start writing. 

Getting up early means I can write for a few hours before anyone starts phoning me or ringing the doorbell. My brain is also sharper in the morning – by the afternoon I go a bit dozy. 

Working on my most recent novel I was so behind with it that I probably wrote the first draft in about six months – and that’s when I started getting up at five in the morning.

I also try to find time to go for a walk in the mornings, usually on Hampstead Heath. This makes sure I move a bit as my natural inclination is to be like a slug. I also exercise three lunchtimes a week. Sometimes I work out with my personal trainer (we do a lot of weights and a bit of boxing) or I go to a yoga class. 

I use my afternoons to see people – my agent or publisher, for example – then the evening is all about sitting on the sofa with a couple of glasses of wine and something nice to eat. I rarely go out at night – usually once every two weeks. I’m much happier staying in. 

However, I do tend to travel a lot, usually to New York, which I love – I would live there in a heartbeat. Ricky works there a lot so I travel with him. For me it is part holiday and part work, as I carry on writing when I’m over there. 

We’re lucky to have a place in Buckinghamshire, so we tend to spend our weekends there. It’s by the river so we go for long walks or eat out at restaurants. It always feels like we’re having a break, even though it’s only an hour away from London.

Jane's must haves:

I’m currently reading… Bright, Precious Days I love fiction about relationships.

I can’t live without… Liz Earle hair oil. My hair is frizzy so I’m constantly smoothing it down.

My go-to beauty product is… Pur 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Makeup Compact

I always carry… BareMinerals Lip Oil-Balm

I’m currently wearing… L’Ombre dans l’Eau eau de parfum by Diptyque

My style icon... Jane Fonda in the ’70s

Jane's writing rules

1. Be brave – so you don’t look back later on and think, ‘I wish I’d given it a go.’

2. Tell everyone you’re writing – then the pressure’s on to finish.

3. Don’t be self-conscious about showing your drafts to people.

4. Do something every day – write every day, regardless of what it is.

5. Don’t edit as you go along, just plough your way through a first draft.

Jane Fallon’s new novel, ‘My Sweet Revenge’ (Michael Joseph, £7.99), is out now