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.

An Aunt is a safe haven for a child. Someone who will keep your secrets and is always on your side.

To me, reading through old letters and journals is like treasure hunting. Somewhere in those faded, handwritten lines there is a story that has been packed away in a dusty old box for years.

Very often the characters people respond to best have little parts of reality they can relate to.

A word out of place or an interesting choice of vocabulary can spawn a whole character.

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

Those who have not been stung will hardly fear a bee the same as those who have.