It's good to focus on the universal suffering that goes on in any war. Whatever the right and wrongs of the war, there is always universal suffering.

Don't worry about writing a book or getting famous or making money. Just lead an interesting life.

Theatre can transform a child's life, just as an early cultural experience whether with opera, ballet, music or art is a wonderful thing because it opens the door to a life-long experience, a life-long enjoyment.

Characters are the key to a good book. It took me several novels to comprehend that.

I fill up the well of stories in my head - without ever knowing I'm doing it.

Any story you write about war, or film you make about war, is bound to be political whether you like it or not.

If it is possible to be happy in the middle of a nightmare, then Topthorn and I were happy that summer.