Change occurs slowly. Very often a legal change might take place but the cultural shift required to really accept its spirit lingers in the wings for decades.

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.

The law don't like jazz clubs. No one wants anything to do with that kind of trouble.

She wishes her grandmother had not been so protective, and that she understood better what passes between a man and woman. As it is, she simply enjoys the feelings and wonders if they are what lightning is made of, for everything comes back to the weather. Tears like rain. Smiles like the sun. Hair as dry as sand and fear like the dark ocean.

Grabbing readers by the imagination is a writer's job.

I jealously guard my research time and I love fully immersing myself in those dusty old books and papers. It's one of the most enjoyable parts of my job.

As an historical novelist - there are few jobs more retrospective.