I was scared of the Bible - it seemed whenever I read it I got bad luck. Then I befriended a couple of Jesus's disciples and I used to show them modern life - how to run the hot and cold taps and things like that. They seemed alright but it didn't change my feelings about the Bible jinx.

The husk could be some useless bloke or losing myself and changing my DNA with bottomless grief.

Therapy is like telling your nightmares when you're a kid; they lose their power to hurt and control.

I want it to be more universal than that - like a painter doesn't have to explain his life story away to justify his painting.

I'm not comfortable holidaying in other people's poverty.

My manager said the next best inspiration to heartbreak is travel, and it's true.

When I first started writing, a friend said I should be careful because I'm letting people know how to reach right in and play with my workings. And they do!