The beginning is the word and the end is silence. And in between are all the stories.

Not being published would be great. When I say that to other writers they look at me as if I'm totally insane.

I'm a lapsed Quaker. I don't go to meetings any more. But I'm very drawn to Catholicism - all that glitter. I'd love to be a Catholic. I think it would be fantastic - faith, forgiveness, absolution, extreme unction - all these wonderful words. I don't think anyone who was ever born a Catholic hasn't died a Catholic, no matter how lapsed they are.

Fairy tales opened up a door into my imagination - they don't conform to the reality that's around you as a child. I started reading when I was three and read everything, but I wanted to be an actress.

In the end, it is my belief, words are the only things that can construct a world that makes sense.

If they would all sleep all the time she wouldn't mind being their mother.

Probably not needing to be published would give me more time to think about a book.