Schools don't really allow failure and yet it's part of any endeavour, not just writing.

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.

I don't work to any commissions. I do what I want to do.

It's great meeting children because you never know what they will say.

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.

Dreaming was only nice while it lasted.

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.