As it stands there is a very strong argument that as the book trade becomes increasingly corporate it's our literary heritage that is at risk - a vital part of our culture.

It is through our extended family that we first learn to compromise and come to an understanding that even if we don't always agree about things we can still love and look out for each other.

I always thought that bagels and lox was my soul food, but it turns out it's sushi.

Something I notice speaking to writers from south of Hadrians Wall is that the culture is different. At base, I think Scotland values its creative industries differently from England.

I jealously guard my research time and I love fully immersing myself in those dusty old books and papers. It's one of the most enjoyable parts of my job.

The sky was a sparkling succession of black diamonds on black velvet made crystal clear by the blackout.

I believe the era of the militant lady is back.

Without archives many stories of real people would be lost, and along with those stories, vital clues that allow us to reflect and interpret our lives today.

Research material can turn up anywhere - in a dusty old letter in an archive, a journal or some old photographs you find in a charity shop.

Writers of novels live in a strange world where what's made up is as important as what's real.

Books have a vital place in our culture. They are the source of ideas, of stories that engage and stretch the imagination and most importantly, inspire.

Your principles are your true north because they instruct how you will handle every situation, especially when there is no easy choice.

We all have the potential for greatness in us. But we must not fail to make consistent use of it.

I sometimes think that never blows so red The Rose as where some buried Caesar bled That every Hyacinth the Garden wears Dropt in her Lap from some once lovely Head.

I’m sick of asking questions everyone else already knows the answers to.

We have to face the fact that either all of us are going to die together or we are going to learn to live together and if we are to live together we have to talk.

How far the gulf-stream of our youth may flow Into the arctic regions of our lives, Where little else than life itself survives.

Our obedience is God's pleasure when it proves that God is our treasure.

Job-wise I did have a moment of panic that I should have been a doctor a few years ago but I hate when people vomit.

No matter what you do, do it to your utmost. I always attribute my success to always requiring myself to do my level best, if only in driving a tack in straight.

The greatest hindrance to living is expectancy, which depends upon tomorrow and wastes today