Writers block: when I get it, it's because my subconscious spotted that I'd make a huge structural mistake in constructing a novel before my conscious mind became aware of it, and threw on the brakes. So I've learned not to sweat it: take two days off, then back up a chapter, read through, and try to work out why I'm suddenly uneasy about continuing.

Time is a corrosive fluid, dissolving motivation, destroying novelty, and leaching the joy from life.

I've reached an age at which I'd rather pay more for something that "just works" than roll up my sleeves, reach for a spanner, and make it work. Time is money, and the older we get the less of it we've got left.

My favourite movie is: "Dr Strangelove". (I haven't seen any films released in the past 2-5 years, I'm afraid: I don't do TV/cinema).

No two books come out the same way. Some I write by the seat of my pants; others are planned in minute detail.

Steampunk is nothing more than what happens when Goths discover brown.

Life begets intelligence, intelligence begets smart matter and a singularity.