Good collaboration essentially boils down to personalities who work well together and are able to integrate each other's notes and ideas without killing each other.

I have been very lucky: my writing has taken me across the world, and I have seen some extraordinary sites and sights.

I spend all my time trying to keep thoughts away and ignore them....But here you are, trying to remember your own life, writing your thoughts down so that you don't forget. I suddenly realized what it would be like not to know, not to remember.

The research. It is always the best part of writing. And, of course, it is the great excuse to travel.

Here words can kill - literally.

Some writing courses will advise you to write what you know. I've always thought this is very odd advice ... because it means, for example, that I should not be writing about Nicholas Flamel, because I didn't live in France in the 15th Century, I was not an alchemyst, am not immortal (despite the rumours) and do not know magic.

In fact, writing for younger adults is tougher. They remember everything and if they spot a problem, they'll be sure to let you know.