If you're from Dublin, for example, chances are you live with your family, if you're lucky enough to, right up to the mid-20s. And most of the people I know, when they finally sort of set off on their own, they don't stray all that far.

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

Do not place a photograph of your favourite author on your desk, especially if the author is one of the famous ones who committed suicide.

When I'm writing I just think there's only the page and me and nobody else.

Dreaming was only nice while it lasted.

To claim that music is more important than oxygen would be trite and sentimental. It would also be true.

When you grow up on an island, what matters is how you stand to the sea.