The screenwriter and novelist on his love of Emily Dickinson, and the power of great storytellingWilliam Nicholson is the author of numerous novels for adults and teenagers. As a screenwriter his credits include Shadowlands, Gladiator, Les Misérables and Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. He was awarded an OBE in the New Year’s honours list and his latest novel is The Lovers of Amherst.What are the advantages of combining your career as a novelist with that of Hollywood screenwriter?The obvious advantage is that it’s fun.