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 always love writing about children.

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

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.

My advice would be not to write until after 35. You need some experience, and for life to knock you about a bit. Growing up is so hard you probably won't have much emotion to spare anyway.

You can change yourself and you can change the situation but you absolutely cannot change other people. Only they can do that.

I'm no lyrical stylist, you wouldn't pick me for a perfect sentence, and I certainly wouldn't describe my novels as intellectual.