People always talked about a mother's uncanny ability to read her children, but that was nothing compared to how children could read their mothers.

I do write long, long character notes - family background, history, details of appearance - much more than will ever appear in the novel. I think this is what lifts a book from that early calculated, artificial stage.

My decision to start a new one is just that, a decision, since I never get inspirations.

Mostly it's lies, writing novels. You set out to tell an untrue story and you try to make it believable, even to yourself. Which calls for details; any good lie does.

I save the best of myself for novels, and I believe it shows

They were like people who run to meet, holding out their arms, but their aim is wrong; they pass each other and keep running.

How plotless real life was!