Catie Wilkins's dad is an odd, robotic man who shunned free love during the swinging sixties to focus on accountancy training for Tesco. But his robotic tendencies seem to have skipped a generation, because Catie, a writer as well as performer, seems to be normal. Almost definitely, writes Lucy Wood...

Hello Catie. Tell us about your 2011 Fringe show...

It's about how I'm worried I'm turning into my parents, mainly my dad, and why that's scaring me.

How did you decide on the subject matter? And, more importantly, what does your dad think?

I partly decided on the subject because my dad did several quite funny things in a row that I thought I could do something with. My dad isn't over the moon about it - if anything, he was starting to get offended. But he's been a good sport and the ending is nice.

Has your family seen the show?

Well, kind of. They came to a preview of an early incarnation of it that not enough people were at to shield me from them. It's the nearest I've got to feeling like I'm doing a gig in my living room. I said that at the time. It was awkward but funny.

They're coming to Edinburgh to see it for real. I'm just trying not to think about that.

How would you describe yourself to people who may not be familiar with your work?

Funny, cheeky and shy. My stand-up has stories and anecdotes as well as jokes with proper punchlines. I think I have an unusual perspective, as I am a bit odd. I'm an unlikely person to be doing this.

Writing is clearly a passion for you but it can be solitary; how do you go about setting your mind to it?

When you're passionate about the thing you're writing, it's easy. That's all you want to do when you get up, and you can't stop thinking about it.

When you're not passionate, it feels like hell. You just have to sit there and make yourself do it.
When it's really hard, I give myself little incentives like a biscuit every 10 minutes if I focus properly.

You've had some great comments from reviewers; does that spur you on to do even more and even better?

Kind of. It makes me tentatively pleased but also nervous. But I guess it's generally a boost if people like it. And I still want to do loads more things anyway.

What do you enjoy most about the festival? And what's the worst part?

I love seeing other shows, and the social side and the camaraderie. There's a lovely atmosphere with the people I know and keep bumping into. I haven't really gone out that much yet though. I'm trying to pace myself.

For me the worst part of the Fringe is towards the end when you're constantly knackered and you wake up, see you've agreed to do six extra gigs that day and think 'Why the hell did I agree to do a gig in Glasgow in the last week?'

How do you survive the month overall?

If you can go to bed early one night, go to bed early. Take a little night off and watch your 30 Rock DVDs on your computer, and drink tea and eat a satsuma.

And what's next for you after the Fringe?

I'm running a half marathon for Scope in October in London (you can sponsor me) and then I will be doing some more rewrites in preparation for my first children's book, which is coming out next July.

Catie Wilkins: Chip Off The Old Block is on at Underbelly's Pasture at 8pm until 28th. Listing