The Dancing Girls of Lahore was offered to dozens of British publishers and was turned down by everyone. It is still on offer in the U.K., but I'm not confident there will be any takers.

Don't call 'em dogs. Dogs are loyal and they run after balls.

The Dancing Girls of Lahore was offered to dozens of British publishers and was turned down by everyone. It is still on offer in the U.K., but I'm not confident there will be any takers.

The importance and influence of books on me has been cumulative: the result of hearing and reading lots of stories about interesting people and places.

When I was a child and teenager I read whenever I had the opportunity, but since then I've found it hard to read as much as I'd like, children, work, and pets all providing powerful incentives to escape into a book and a practical reason why I rarely do so.

Never give up. And most importantly, be true to yourself. Write from your heart, in your own voice, and about what you believe in.

I don't envy men and I certainly wouldn't like to become one now.