Harcourt sent my book to Evelyn Waugh and his comment was: “If this is really the unaided work of a young lady, it is a remarkable product.” My mother was vastly insulted. She put the emphasis on if and lady. Does he suppose you’re not a lady? she says.

I never understand how writers can succumb to vanity - what you work the hardest on is usually the worst.

It is always difficult to get across to people who are not professional writers that a talent to write does not mean a talent to write anything at all.

A working knowledge of the devil can be very well had from resisting him.

As for the blood and the head business, the blood and the head work together and what is not first in the blood can sometimes reach it by going first through the head and what is wrong in the blood can sometimes be tempered by the head.

One old lady who wants her head lifted wouldn't be so bad, but you multiply her two hundred and fifty thousand times and what you get is a book club.

It is a sign of maturity... to find explanations in charity.