I look at the great poets of the Soviet Union, like Anna Akhmatova, who endured far worse then anything we've seen or hopefully that we will ever see. If they could keep writing and keep a voice alive, keep people hopeful through their poetry, then I would be ashamed to stop and to give in. It would be really self-indulgent, unacceptable, and inexcusable to walk away from it.

I'm a grandmother, and a mighty proud one.

Never underestimate a man's ability to underestimate a woman.

I realised I'd never climb Everest but thought I could still write a book

Around the time I turned 30, I wanted to publish a novel

Sometimes life seems so painful it hurts even to move my arms.

The crime novel has always been my favourite genre.