Everyone assumes writers spend their time lounging around, writing and occasionally striking a pose whilst having a think.

People make interesting assumptions about the profession. The writer is a mysterious figure, wandering lonely as a cloud, fired by inspiration, or perhaps a cocktail or two.

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

Scotland consistently produces world-class writers.

I find it inspiring to actively choose which traditions to celebrate and also come up with new ideas for traditions of my own.

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.

Books exist for me not as physical entities with pages and binding, but in the province of my mind.