Every book takes me from 35 to 41 days to write. I don't know why that is. I've tried to get it down to 30 or 31, depending on the length of the month, but it won't work. I don't drink while I'm writing because it fuddles my logical processes, but when I finish a book I go down to the kitchen and pour myself a big belt.

MY rule is never to be rude to anyone unless you mean it.

I'm not a collector. I don't keep letters, or books, or souvenirs. But I do keep one copy of each translation of my books into a foreign language. Have you ever seen a murder story printed in Singhalese? Wow!

As I understand it, a born executive is a guy who, when anything difficult or unexpected happens, yells for somebody to come and help him.

It is always wiser, where there is a choice, to trust inertia. It is the greatest force in the world.

I still can't decide which is more fun - reading or writing.

Subtlety chases the obvious up a never-ending spiral and never quite catches it.