Good ideas are often murdered by better ones.

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

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

She's a pot-of-tea-before-I-say-boo-to-you woman. There's always a pile of warm teabags in the sink when I come down, like what a horse would leave behind.

My novels come from within me; they are things I feel I want to do.

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.

If there is a heaven, Jane Austen is sitting in a small room with Mother Teresa and Princess Diana, listening to Duran Duran, forever. If there's a hell, she's standing.