I had a very happy childhood, which is unsuitable if you're going to be an Irish writer.

All I ever wanted to do is to write stories that people will enjoy and feel at home with.

I think I was dealt a good hand. I have happy genes.

I am not a member of Fat Liberation, nor do I think that obesity is healthy. But I do believe that in many ways my life has been a more charmed and happy one because I was always large.

If you don't go to a dance you can never be rejected but you'll never get to dance either.

My mother was a trained nurse, and she'd tell me that patients would fight as they were administered anaesthetic, grappling to get the gas mask off their face.

Everybody is a hero in their own story if you just look.