Writing is not something you can do or you can't. It's not even something that 'other people do' or 'for smart people only' or even 'for people who finished school and went to University'. Nonsense. Anyone can do it. But no-one can do it straight off the bat. Like plastering, brain surgery or assembling truck engines, you have to do a bit of training - get your hands dirty - and make some mistakes.

Defiance through compliance.

There is much unexplained in the world. It behooves us to be wary at all times. Just when you think you've got the hang of it, along comes string theory, collateralized debt obligations or Björk's new album, and bam! You're as confused as you were when you first started.

If you even think about asking Harry Potter for an autograph, your day ends right now.

Comedy was one of those genres that while appearing quite jolly was actually highly dangerous.

The fun one can have writing books about books is limitless, to be honest.

A surfeit of information often hides an untruth,” he said, with annoying clarity.