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

I'm going to sound like an old man but at my age, it's lovely doing something that you've never done before.

I wouldn't go out of my way to experience the indignity of middle-age just because it might be good meat for a story.

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.

The problem with being Irish... is having 'Riverdance' on your back. It's a burden at times.

Dreaming was only nice while it lasted.

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