You don't need to be able to string a sentence together in a way that is elegant or even vaguely meaningful to produce a bestseller - as Dan Brown has demonstrated time and again.

He died fighting for what he believed in.

Authors have odd relationships with their creations They owe their fame and fortune to their characters but feel enslaved by them.

The CIA agent looked more dead than alive. Alex wondered if he had been hit, but there was no sign of any blood. Perhaps he was in shock.

So it's a coincidence. Just like you said. Two rich parents with two rich kids at the same school. They're both killed in accidents. Why are you so interested?" "Because I don't like coincidence," Blunt replied. "In fact, I don't believe in coincidence. Where some people see coincidence, I see conspiracy. That's my job.

If this is what you do to the winner, I'd hate to see how you treat the runner up.

Do you realise how much trouble you're in?" "Perhaps I'll have some Weetabix after all.