If you get the characters right you've done sometimes nearly half the work. I sometimes find I get the characters right then the characters will often help me write the book - not what they look like that's not very important - what people look like is not about their character. You have to describe the shape they leave in the world, how they react to things, what effect they have on people and you do that by telling their story.

'Educational' refers to the process, not the object. Although, come to think of it, some of my teachers could easily have been replaced by a cheeseburger.

What did they feed the lions and tigers with in the ark, sir?

Things that try to look like things often do look more like things than things.

Neither claimed any responsibility for Milton Keynes, but both reported it as a success.

Never cross a woman with a star on a stick, young lady. They've got a mean streak.

There is always time for another last minute