As a child, I read science fiction, but from the very beginnings of my reading for pleasure, I read a lot of non-fictional history, particularly historical biography.

I get work because I'm primarily a novelist but I've become script doctor. I can work back and forth between French and English.

There is only one definition of science fiction that seems to make sense: 'Science fiction is anything published as science fiction.'

The saddest day of your life is when you decide to sell out, and nobody wants to buy.

I'm not gifted, but I'm not hopeless.

I never learned to read music.

All fiction is lies – if it weren’t, it would be biography, history, or reportage.