Most of the people who write to me are really clever, really engaged. They just want to say that they have read my book and liked it.

To have a very strong opinion all the time is corrosive to a person's intellect. It becomes your default position.

If you went for a job interview in a Glasgow law firm, they used to ask you what school you went to. And that was a way of finding out what religion you were.

A man who thinks he has a higher purpose can do terrible things, even to those he professes to love.

I have two children. They are more fun than anything in the world, and it's more immediate fun than the hard slog of writing.

In my heart Im just a lucky waitress.

I'm terrified to get married. I'm not getting married till my gay friends can.