When I am fascinated by something, I like to play with it.

Writers tell stories better, because they've had more practice, but everyone has a book in them. Yes, that old cliche.

If you run away from trouble, it always follows.' Rather my impression, too. Though that never stopped me trying.

The other writer who had a very important early influence on me when I was about 17 was C.S. Lewis.

A rose by any other name Would get the blame For being what it is-- The colour of a kiss, The shadow of a flame. A rose may earn another name, So call it love; So call it love I will, And love is like the sea, Which changes constantly, And yet is still The same.

She looked, and a scarlet butterfly flew away from her, away down the length of the tower, and then another, another, an unraveling scarf of butterflies like winged blood.

Im writing what comes into my head, or through me, or from somewhere else, and it is the most extraordinary, exciting thing. I love it, and Im very greedy, and I really enjoy it!