From time to time, as if heaven-sent to annoy, someone will ask me if I'm self-disciplined when it comes to my work. I usually look witheringly at them and snarl, 'What do you think?' I mean, how do you imagine anyone writes a quarter of a million words a year for publication?

Vaughn's vision is older, wiser and harder than Ritchie's.

The life of the professional writer - like that of any freelance, whether she be a plumber or a podiatrist - is predicated on willpower. Without it there simply wouldn't be any remuneration, period.

Whatever respect photography may once have deserved is now superfluous in view of its own superfluity.

I do have a fantasy life in which I can grout bathrooms - but not for a living.

The fictional work is a kind of actor that wears a satirical garb but can put on other costumes as well.

I have a healthy appetite for solitude. If you don't, you have no business being a writer.