My brother married young, and his is the best marriage I know.

I think you've got to play the hand that you're dealt and stop wishing for another hand.

My brother married young, and his is the best marriage I know.

The biggest influence on my books was the fact that I had worked in a newspaper for so long. In a daily paper, you learn to write very quickly; there is no time to sit and brood about what you are going to say.

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

When I was younger, I avoided exercise or anything strenuous. I didn't even enjoy walking. As I got older, I spent so much time marking books or sitting at a desk writing that there was no room for exercise - not that I would have bothered anyway.

I've been very lucky and I have a happy old age with good family and friends still around.