I aim to be translucent, so you don't notice the words, just their meaning. I haven't much insight into people's motivations.

I went and looked at one of these great cathedrals one day, and I was blown away by it. From there I became interested in how cathedrals were built, and from there I became interested in the society that built the medieval cathedral. It occurred to me at some point that the story of the building of a cathedral could be a great popular novel.

Everybody takes what they life from the teachings of the church, and ignores the parts that don't suit them.

For success, the author must make the reader care about the destiny of the principals, and sustain this anxiety, or suspense, for about 100,000 words.

The thriller is the most popular literary genre of the 20th century.

We all now tell stories by cutting from one dramatic scene to the next, whereas Victorian novelists felt free to write long passages of undramatic summary.

But desperate people find courage.