Women who start out as ugly ducklings don't become beautiful swans. What they mainly become is confident ducks. They take charge of their lives.

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

I'm pleased to have outsold great writers. But I'm not insane - I realize I am a writer people buy to take on vacation.

I don't have ugly ducklings turning into swans in my stories. I have ugly ducklings turning into confident ducks.

I don't think you're happier if you're thin or beautiful or rich or married. You have to make your own happiness. My heroines do not become beautiful elegant swans, they become confident ducks and get on with life.

If you woke up each morning, and immediately dwelt on your ills, what sort of a day could you look forward to?

I believed that old people never laughed. I thought they sighed a lot and groaned. They walked with sticks, and they didn't like children on bicycles or roller skates or with big dogs.