Time had not faded my memories (as I had prayed to God it might), nor had it healed my wounds as it is said always to do. I began each day with the hope that the next day would be better, my recollections a little less pointed, but I would awake to the same pain, as if a black lamp were burning eternally inside me, radiating darkness.

I work seven days a week, from 9 in the morning till 8 at night. I have the titles of the next eight novels I want to write. I feel myself pitiable, degraded on a day that I don't write.

My religion is complicated. Literature is my true religion. After all, I come from a completely non-religious family.

I'm a relatively disciplined writer who composes the whole book before beginning to execute and write it. Of course, you can't hold - you cannot imagine a whole novel before you write it; there are limits to human memory and imagination. Lots of things come to your mind as you write a book, but again, I make a plan, chapter, know the plot.

It's very gratifying to me to see my works bringing people closer to my country.

What is the thing you want most from me? What can I do to make you love me?' Be yourself,' said Ipek.

I see Turkey's future as being in Europe, as one of many prosperous, tolerant, democratic countries.