It is the absence of facts that frightens people: the gap you open, into which they pour their fears, fantasies, desires.

As a writer, you owe it to yourself not to get stuck in a rut of looking at the world in a certain way.

One of the ideals [Margaret Thatcher] grew up with was self-denial and postponement of gratification, and yet she went about to create a greedy, short-term society. It is a paradox.

Those who are made can be unmade.

There is so much else in the world that is more interesting [ than monarchy].

But an experienced reader is also a self-aware and critical reader. I can't remember ever reading a story without judging it.

It is all very well planning what you will do in six months, what you will do in a year, but it’s no good at all if you don’t have a plan for tomorrow.