I left school at 16 and skipped university to work, initially as a waiter. I think I missed out on what would have been great years.

Prescription for writer’s block: fear of poverty.

The English kill their meat twice: once when they slaughter it and once when they cook it.

I'd rather live precariously in my own office than comfortably in somebody else's.

Best advice I've ever received: Finish.

Sundays in France have a different atmosphere to other days, with fewer phone calls, no postman, no delivery men and no one banging on the door.

Depending on the inflection, ah bon can express shock, disbelief, indifference, irritation, or joy - a remarkable achievment for two short words.