Life's too short to drink crappy coffee and cry over boys who don't care.

As I tell my intro creative writing students, after reading someone you love, wait at least an hour before starting to write.

I like the idea of characters without shame, who hold nothing back.

I think early on I was really into ambient music and like American original Emo.

A band that we supported called Blackfish in Manchester, played the most insane gig I've ever been to. Everything was set on fire, and then they came on and played one of the coolest gigs I've ever seen.

Along with John Hughes, he's probably the biggest influence. Would be awesome not only to meet him; he's one person I'd also definitely like to work with.

There's a lot of particularly good things going on in my life at the moment. It's the fact that I get to be an ambassador for the concept of modernity. I can be creative and useful. And I don't have to grow up.