Much hostile and aggressive behaviour among animals is the expression of social insecurity.

I cannot think of a better way to spread the faith. No thundering from a pulpit, no condemnation from bad churches, no peer pressure, just a book of scripture quietly waiting to say hello, as gentle and powerful as a little girl's kiss on your cheek.

You can get used to anything - haven't I already said that? Isn't that what all survivors say?

The tennis challenger starts strong but soon loses confidence in his playing. The champion racks up the games. But in the final set, when the challenger has nothing left to lose, he becomes relaxed again, insouciant, daring. Suddenly he's playing like the devil and the champion must work hard to get those last points.

How true is that necessity is the mother of invention, how very true.

Just as art brings you to another place, so does religion - and to ask questions of factuality tends to reduce both. If you say you were inspired by a novel, that implies that your book is a work of fiction.

We are all born like Catholics, aren't we—in limbo, without religion, until some figure introduces us to God?