Some writers are more natural public performers than others; personally I find it quite strange giving interviews. But everyone has parts of their job that they like more than others. You can't complain if you get to do what you love doing most of the time, can you?

I'm very eclectic in my music tastes - anything from Nina Simone to Beethoven to Talvin Singh.

The thing about getting older is that you don't need everything to be possible any more, you just need things to be certain.

A new car is not going to change your life.

I always try to create conflict and drama in my books; it's the engine of the novel.

I don't want to get hung up on what 'people,' that nebulous mass, think about me. That's the way to unhappiness, I think.

People always want to identify a writer with their protagonist.