My view of an excellent novel was probably set in the golden age of fiction in the 19th century: narrative, character and voice are of equal importance.

I am not a fan of the cupcake image. This idea that you can distract a girl with something frivolous like a cake or shoes or handbags, and she won't be a threat to men.

Oddly my name has been no professional help at all! It seems to have made no difference. I admire him hugely, both for his benevolence and his enormous psychological perception.

I am often criticised for being rather accessible.

Out of respect to writers, you have to read the book in the way in which the author visualised it going out into the world.

I'm actually rather orderly, although the way that I write is not.

I always love writing about children.