Like many writers I carry around a notebook, where I can jot down ideas. Another thing you can do is record snippets of conversation. You may be able to draw on these verbal snapshots in your writing.

A few years ago I was standing in the queue in the post office. The two teenaged girls behind me were discussing their forthcoming GCSEs, and their revision plans.

“Tell you what”, said one of them. “I’ll get in touch with you on Facebook this evening.”

“But I thought your dad banned you from using it.”

“Oh, I worked out the password six months ago. My dad still doesn’t know that I know it.”

This has always struck me as quite funny. It’s a story I’ve related many times in talks about online safety.