The Irish are the niggers of Europe, lads.

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.

I tend to plan as I write. And I want to leave myself open and the character open to keep on going until it seems to be the time to stop.

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.

I do enjoy Gothic fiction or books about zombies if they are well written and I like vampires.

Dreaming was only nice while it lasted.

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.