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

You know people are always putting Ulysses in the top 10 books ever written but I doubt that any of those people were really moved by it.

Do be kind to yourself. Fill pages as quickly as possible; double space, or write on every second line. Regard every new page as a small triumph. Until you get to page 50. Then calm down, and start worrying about the quality. Do feel anxiety - it's the job.

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

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

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.

It's a big con job. We have sold the myth of Dublin as a sexy place incredibly well; because it is a dreary little dump most of the time.