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.

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

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.

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

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

I don't choose between my house phone and my mobile. I don't choose between my laptop and my notebook. And I don't intend to choose between my e-reader and my bookshelf.

I've always had a keen sense of history. My father was an antiques dealer and he used to bring home boxes full of treasures, and each item always had a tale attached.