One good reason for writing novels based on your life is that you have something to read in old age when you've forgotten what happened.

Life isn't so complicated for children. They have more time to think about the really important things. That's why I occasionally moralise in my children's books in a way I wouldn't dare when writing for adults.

If you are going to make companies, corporations, actually responsible for the safety of other people's lives, then if they fail in their duty, the only thing to prevent them failing in their duty is the fear that they would be put behind bars.

People who don't read seem to me mysterious. I don't know how they think or learn about other people. Novels are a very important part of our education.

There are many times when I think I would have rather died with my husband. It would have been pleasanter, simpler. But it would have been worse for the children and the family in general.

All writers are thieves; theft is a necessary tool of the trade.

I've never found it made the slightest difference being a woman - though there is a sort of feeling that as you get older you're not so interesting.