Any author of fiction will tell you that characters don't need to be told what to do.

There is room in history for all of us.

My parents were very supportive and always encouraged us. My father was a gentle, nice man. My mother was quite a colourful character and a keen reader who encouraged me to write.

The people with the strong, brave exteriors are just as weak and vulnerable as the rest of us. And of course they never admit to their childish practices, their moments of weakness or absurdity, and then the rest of us think that's how it should be.

But you cannot expect every writer to dwell on human suffering. I think my books do deal with grave issues. People who say they are too positive probably havent read them.

Lou knew that joy unshared was a halved emotion, just as sadness and loss, when borne alone, were often doubled.

It's through the small things that we develop our moral imagination, so that we can understand the sufferings of others.