I have no place left to live but in my own heart.

Nothing had happened yet in my life except the need to get out of it.

I do wish I could write like some of the American women, who can be clever and heartfelt and hopeful; people like Lorrie Moore and Jennifer Egan. But Ireland messed me up too much, I think, so I can't.

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

I have a small room to write in. One wall is completely covered in books. And I face the window with the curtain closed to stop the light hitting the computer.

I was raised in a very old fashioned Ireland where women were reared to be lovely.

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