I didn't choose Russia but Russia chose me. I had been fascinated from an early age by the culture, the language, the literature and the history to the place.

In a world without air all you breathe is adventure!

A problem with a piece of writing often clarifies itself if you go for a long walk.

Once one habit peels away the others follow it. You have to hold on, or the next thing you'll find yourself parading down the street in your nightdress. Habit is everything.

Writing children's books gives a writer a very strong sense of narrative drive.

Finish the day's writing when you still want to continue.

Mourning Ruby is not a flat landscape: it is more like a box with pictures painted on every face. And each face is also a door which opens, I hope, to take the reader deep into the book.