No matter how close to personal experience a story might be, inevitably you are going to get to a part that isn't yours and, actually, whether it happened or not becomes irrelevant. It is all about choosing the right words.

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.

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

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

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

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.