History at its best is a gritty, dirty business.

Sometimes I create a character from a scrap - a mere mention that has been left behind.

The new contract between writers and readers is one I'm prepared to sign up to. I've met some fascinating people at events and online. Down with the isolation of writers I say! And long live Twitter.

Writers of novels live in a strange world where what's made up is as important as what's real.

At the end of the day, that's what a family is - a group of different people who accept each other.

I believe the era of the militant lady is back.

I always thought that bagels and lox was my soul food, but it turns out it's sushi.