The day we stop learning is the day we die.

He who retreats lives longer.

My advice is to write about what you are interested in. If you read science fiction and fantasy, then write in that genre. If you read romance novels, then try writing one.

I never base characters on real people - you can get into so much trouble that way!

But what science cannot understand, it dismisses.

When it is going well, it is the best job [writing] in the world. For those few hours, you are god, in control of everything. However, for me, the great joy of writing is that it has allowed me to travel the world in search of stories.

Making sure that the geography and timelines work is always the hardest part of writing. But you owe it to the readers to get it right!