Before I had published anything, I still hung out with people who liked to write. None of us had published, so there was no talk about the business, and there was probably a lot more angsty talk back then. But these days maybe there are some more laments about the culture, but I would say no.

It is 'where we are' that should make all the difference, whether we believe we belong there or not.

We can skip through a lot of the stuff people might ask about the writing of the book, and so their comments always start well, well down into the nitty-gritty.

It's not that I don't enjoy other people, but what I find with writers is this back and forth. And also, there's no need to talk about work.

I really try to forget. I only look at my old works if there's an interview and someone asks me about it. Otherwise, it's not even in the rearview mirror.

I think that's great - I just try not to be one of those people. I find the more I think about it, the less free I feel when I write and when I work.

Do not discount the psychic warmth of the hive.