History is full of blank spaces, but good stories, invariably, are not.

Scotland consistently produces world-class writers.

It is one of the benchmarks of a culture I always think – the page at which it operates. A good way to measure it is to order a taxi and see how irate local people get if it is late.

Often we don't notice the stringent rules to which our culture subjects us.

Copywriters, journalists, mainstream authors, ghostwriters, bloggers and advertising creatives have as much right to think of themselves as good writers as academics, poets, or literary novelists.

There is something particularly fascinating about seeing places you know in a piece of art - be that in a film, or a photograph or painting.

I care about a lot of issues. I care about libraries, I care about healthcare, I care about homelessness and unemployment. I care about net neutrality and the steady erosion of our liberties both online and off. I care about the rich/poor divide and the rise of corporate business.