If you try to control it too much, the book is dead. You have to let it fall apart quite early on and let it start doing its own thing. And that takes nerve, not to panic that the book you were going to write is not the book you will have at the end of the day.

Cats, I always think, only jump into your lap to check if you are cold enough, yet, to eat.

Having kids is very difficult to do on your own, and it's really crazy difficult to think you're doing it as a team and to find out that you're not actually part of a team.

Writing is not my problem, it is my solution.

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

I never wanted to be mainstream as a writer, but look at what's happened.

I think you know everything at eight. But is is hidden from you, sealed up, in a way you have to cut yourself open to find.