You think publishing is tough but the music world is ten times tougher.

The best way to learn about writing is to study the work of other writers you admire.

It means working harder to do the research but I don't really mind - I don't think I have what it takes to chase criminals through back alleys and wade through blood at crime scenes.

Trying to write books with a subject matter or in a genre or style you're not familiar with is the best way to find the Big Block looming.

I've often said that there's no such thing as writer's block; the problem is idea block. When I find myself frozen-whether I'm working on a brief passage in a novel or brainstorming about an entire book-it's usually because I'm trying to shoehorn an idea into the passage or story where it has no place.

People with children and people with their own business always pick up a ringing phone.

I think a lot of young aspiring writers get misdirected; they think 'I ought to write this, even though I enjoy reading that'. What you have to do is write what you enjoy reading.