Being able to read well in public and talk about your work in an engaging fashion is part of most writers' job specification.

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.

The mind is the laboratory where products, both fake and genuine are manufactured. People grow wild weeds, others grow flourishing flowers!

I understand, and not knowing how to express myself without pagan words, I’d rather remain silent

My children grew up very resourceful and strong in spite of them having to live with different families and that I had to drag them all over the country with me.

The United States does not torture.

I still believe in the Holy Trinity, except now it's Target, Trader Joe's, and IKEA.

We are all entitled to our little harmless habits, but we are not entitled to demand approval for them.

I cannot believe that the inscrutable universe turns on an axis of suffering; surely the strange beauty of the world must somewhere rest on pure joy!

If we had the power over the ends of the earth, it would not give us that fulfillment of existence which a quiet devoted relationship to nearby life can give us.

Public shaming is a blood sport that has to stop.

People can defame anyone they like, people can write anything they like. But non-accountability is a part of modern Indian culture.