The song and dance didn't stop us dying. It just stopped the fear of death swallowing us up while we were still alive.

I do read very, very quickly. I do process data very quickly. And so I write very quickly. And it is embarrassing because there is a conception that the things that you do quickly are not done well. I think that's probably one of the reasons I don't like the idea of prolific.

Lady Dance's music wasn't a magic charm. I'd misunderstood. We had all failed to understand. The song and dance didn't stop us dying. It just stopped the fear of death swallowing us up while we were still alive. 'Rejoice,' came the soft voice of Lady Dance in my mind. 'Watch the moon and stars...' Death had ruled my life till I met Lady Dance. Her dance had set me free.

For me books have always been an incredibly solid part of my life, both as escapism and simply as resource.

I'd love to see a new form of social security ... everyone taught how to grow their own; fruit and nut trees planted along every street, parks planted out to edibles, every high rise with a roof garden, every school with at least one fruit tree for every kid enrolled.

Often the true hero and heroines of my books are the houses, the places, the communities where people find a home.

Books aren't like broccoli. You don't have to eat it because it's good for you. Books drag you in because they are fascinating.