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

As I get older, I use less jewelry - necklace or earrings each morning, not both; my clothes are getting more basic - fewer colours and simpler cuts; and my make-up is stripped back to basics.

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.

Yes, well, life is a folly. If you live long enough, nothing is surprising.

I didn't move. I've learned from years of experience that dogs and falcons and ladies come back to you if you stay where you are.

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

My father was often impatient during March, waiting for winter to end, the cold to ease, the sun to reappear. March was an unpredictable month, when it was never clear what might happen. Warm days raised hopes until ice and grey skies shut over the town again.