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

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

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.

She'd tried her hand at most things, but drew the line at honesty.

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

I've been asked why does Ireland produce so many great musicians, and the answer is it doesn't. When you count the great musicians Ireland has given the world in the last 20 years, you can do it on one hand.

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