It is very hard to trace the effect of words on a life.

There's quite a big gap when it comes to that dual identity of mother and child, or even a pregnant woman, or a nursing woman. It kind of begs the question of that very strong Western idea of the individual self.

A novel is written not to be judged, but experienced.

I can't think of anything you might say about Irish people that is absolutely true.

I'm starting to think my narrators' sentences are getting too big for them, and they are getting to sound a bit samey and, more disturbingly, a bit too much like me.

The way to write a book is to actually write a book. A pen is useful, typing is also good. Keep putting words on the page.

If you can just actually let the character be for a bit, then you get the right sense.