Optimism is denial for chumps with no life experience". "What's pessimism?" I said. "Religion without God.

The science of psychotherapy is knowing what to say, the art is knowing when to say it. (36)

Without sounding pompous, I really do feel that I have a set of standards that I must adhere to, even leaving aside considerations of what the readers expect.

I don't practice, but I am still officially in paediatrics. I keep in touch with journals, and I have a very good data bank of medical information and there is a key thing for a writer knowing where to go. I know where to go to get the information that I need.

The characters emerge from my rather twisted mind. That's another enjoyable part of the job making stuff up.

Each novel is harder than its predecessor because I must work harder at not repeating myself. However, I enjoy the challenge. This is the greatest job in the world.

All of us are like locks. No matter how strong the bolt, there’s always a key out there that opens it.