Although I always said that I wanted to be a writer from childhood, I hadn't actually done much about it until I came to London.

You know I don’t listen to market gossip,” she began, “but it is hard not to hear it when my daughter’s name is mentioned.

I have consistently loved books that I've read when I've been sick in bed.

I try to write 1,000 words a day - about three pages. When I reach 1,000 words I feel good. Less than that: a failure. More than that: tired.

Younger women tend to be busier, wearing more layers and more make-up. I don't know if it's because older women are more confident, or just that we don't care any more. But that pared-down approach is the same with the sentences I write; I take out adjectives and adverbs and keep the description to a minimum.

Don't write about what you know - write about what you're interested in. Don't write about yourself - you aren't as interesting as you think.

The sign of a masterpiece: A painting when there's a lack of resolution.