Sometimes adults seem as though they have cut a chord from being a child.

I see people in terms of dialogue and I believe that people are their talk.

I wasn't even aware of the Year of the Family. I couldn't give a toss. These things - the year of the family, the year of the three-legged dog. I think it's all trash.

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

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.

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

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.