If writers stuck to firsthand experience, novels would be pretty limited.

I don't use real people for inspiration.

If writers stuck to firsthand experience, novels would be pretty limited.

Clearly the secret of happiness...is a variation on the general principle of banging your head against a wall, and then stopping.

I suppose the short chapters and differing narrative points of view are quite "cinematic" devices, which came very naturally to me.

...it just goes to show you can't leave anything behind. You bring it all with you, whether you want to or not.

Because I work quite slowly, I have to keep myself interested over a long research and writing period. So I can't see myself writing about modern middle-class Londoners anytime soon.