My mom and dad got divorced when I was very young and growing up in a family where the head of the household wasn't a man made a big difference.

My dad tells me that he took us to a pantomime when I was very very small - panto being a sort of English phenomenon. There's traditionally a part of the show where they'll invite kids up on the stage to interact with the show. I was too young to remember this but my dad says that I was running up onstage before they even asked us.

I grew up in the world of bad television on my dad's sets and then as a young schmuck on dating shows and so on.

I have one brother John an airline pilot who is seven years younger. He's adopted though we're still blood related - he's my cousin. My parents couldn't have any more children after me so when Dad's brother died they adopted John then just a baby.

My dad was a baggage handler at Heathrow and careful with money. He worked hard and had three jobs when I was young. I wish I'd inherited his care for money. Sadly I've grown up to be rather scatty when it comes to finances.

I say this as a young dad seeing children going into primary school: I don't think we should underestimate the formative effect on a child of those first years in primary school.

The golden child may be the oldest one unless it's the youngest. It may be the toughest one unless it's the most sensitive. It's not even necessary that Mom and Dad have the same favorite - and typically they don't.

'I Know You Care' is about my dad. And I haven't seen him for a long long time. And my parents divorced when I was really young. And I guess I just wanted a - it was my way of saying that I wasn't bitter or angry anymore. I was just sad and just felt like something was missing.

The only day I remember of my parents' marriage was the day my dad walked out. As I stood there at five years old with my older sister and younger brother I knew that he was gone.

I spent a lot of time on farms when I was young. My uncle and my dad owned a big farm.

My dad's probably one of the kindest people in the world. When I was younger that's not how I was- I was a little spoiled brat.

My dad taught me from my youngest childhood memories through these connections with Aboriginal and tribal people that you must always protect people's sacred status regardless of the pest.

I came back from university thinking I knew all about politics and racism not knowing my dad had been one of the youngest-serving Labour councillors in the town and had refused to work in South Africa years ago because of the situation there. And he's never mentioned it - you just find out. That's a real man to me. A sleeping lion.

I shouldn't have got married. My dad told me. I was 35 and I got married. He said 'You're too young to be married'. 'What? I'm 35'. Said 'You're far too young. You haven't lived yet'. He was right bless him thanks Dad.

Going to the theater is such a joyous experience. My dad would take my sister and me to plays when we were very young like six or seven years old.

It is a sad commentary of our times when our young must seek advice and counsel from 'Dear Abby' instead of going to Mom and Dad.

I want to be a young dad. By 25 or 26 I want to see myself like married or start looking for a family.

When I was younger my family would go camping and fishing on our ranches. My dad loves being around all kinds of animals. He's the one who got me to be a really big animal lover.

Apparently one in five people in the world are Chinese. And there are five people in my family so it must be one of them. It's either my mum or my dad. Or my older brother Colin. Or my younger brother Ho-Chan-Chu. But I think it's Colin.

So my father was a person who never lied to me. If I had a question he answered it. I knew a lot of things at a young age because I was intrigued.

What harsh judges fathers are to all young men!

I know this president. And I can tell you that he cares deeply about the next generation of young women in this country - his daughters and everyone's daughters. President Obama had the courage to stand with Sandra Fluke. Without hesitation he defended her right to tell her story.

With honesty of purpose balance a respect for tradition courage and above all a philosophy of life any young person who embraces the historical profession will find it rich in rewards and durable in satisfaction.

I think what I would say to my younger self and probably to younger just starting-out writers is that a lot of times you're just afraid to put yourself out there and it's uncomfortable because it's working up the courage to do something to push yourself to do those things.