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

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.

A book is a story, even if it's non-fiction, and once I've read it, I have the story with me inside my head always.

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

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

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.

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