When I'm not writing, I read loads of fiction, but I've been writing quite constantly lately so I've been reading a lot of nonfiction - philosophy, religion, science, history, social or cultural studies.

I'm not interested in details that might get someone into trouble. I'm more interested in generalities rather than the particulars, as a journalist would be. Names, dates and times don't interest me at all. I'm interested in feelings and emotions. Most people are game, once they realize that you're on the level as far as that's concerned and you're not about exposing them, then they feel quite free to talk about it. Police officers and social workers are no exception.

I wanted to capture the excitement of house music, almost like a four-four beat, and the best way to do that was to use a language that was rhythmic and performative.

It wis like auld times, but in a sense that only served tae remind us ay how much things hud changed.

I grew up in what was not so much a familyas a genetic disaster.

Ah wonder if anybody this side of the Atlantic has ever bought a baseball bat with playing baseball in mind.

I can see why the Russians love Robert Burns, I think that Russians and Koreans have a very similar outlook to Scots.