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

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.

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.

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

I wouldn't go out of my way to experience the indignity of middle-age just because it might be good meat for a story.

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

The Irish are the niggers of Europe, lads.