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.

My parents were sixty years married.

When you grow up on an island, what matters is how you stand to the sea.

The Irish are the niggers of Europe, lads.

The best way to reveal a character is to get them to open their mouths.

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.

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