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

Research material can turn up anywhere - in a dusty old letter in an archive, a journal or some old photographs you find in a charity shop.

I believe the era of the militant lady is back.

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.

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

I didn't expect to love being online as much as I do. I've met some wonderful people and discovered that however arcane some of my interests that there are people out there who are interested too.

For me, writing stories set, well, wherever they're best set, is a form of cultural curiosity that is uniquely Scottish - we're famous for travelling in search of adventure.