I think we're creating a situation that's incredibly dangerous. There's a lot of chat at the moment about the war on terror and whilst there are many causes for acts of terrorism, what kind of society are you creating if you allow civil society in Africa to die and create millions upon millions of orphans? Where are they going to go? What kind of cults, what kind of militias, what's going to happen? The accession of violence in those countries, the possibility of that, to me is very terrifying.

During an election, it's like they're doing my job: they're going around banging the drum for their party and selling their movie. You know, it's the same thing.

Just write. It doesn't matter what you write. Just sit at your desk and write.

I think books are like people, in the sense that they'll turn up in your life when you most need them.

Is love a fancy or a feeling.... or a Ferrars?

Indeed - judicious, consistent parenting is a dream of mine. No judgements, learning space and listening carefully are my goals.

You can't be a great mum and work the whole time necessarily; those two things aren't ideal. We have an awful lot to work on and to debate about in relation to our working lives, because it isn't working for a lot of people, particularly for a lot of women.