I write short stories when a little idea occurs to me, that I know isn't a part of a novel that will stand by itself and should be concentrated.

Schools don't really allow failure and yet it's part of any endeavour, not just writing.

When I was growing up, the exam system didn't allow you to write fiction, so you never did.

The Irish are the niggers of Europe, lads.

If you are a writer you're at home, which means you're out of touch. You have to make excuses to get out there and look at how the world is changing.

It's great meeting children because you never know what they will say.

It's hard for me to measure them, or to assess my books because I'm so close to them.