I learnt that I must never finish a book with nothing else to do.

Everything I have ever written has been in the same chair, in the same room.

My attitude is that if anybody of any age wants to read a book, let them, but I do think that no child would want to read Boneland.

When you start, the world of publishing seems like a great cathedral citadel of talent, resisting attempts to let you inside. It isn't like that at all. It may be more difficult now, and take longer than when I started to write, but there's a great, empty warehouse out there looking for simple talent.

It's where I keep all my things. Get a lot of compliments on this. Plus it's not a purse, it's called a satchel. Indiana Jones wears one.

My background is deep and set in deep time, and in a narrow space, oral traditions going back a long, long time, which I inherited by osmosis.

If you are going to write, nothing will stop you, and if you are not going to write, nothing will make you.