I'm not sure how much easier it is for a mother to balance her life now - have we simply swapped one set of restrictions for another?

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.

One of the most healing things you can do is recognize where in your life you are your own poison.

Greatness can be contagious, but first there must be contact.

It is necessary to any originality to have the courage to be an amateur.

The pleasure we derive from journeys is perhaps dependent more on the mindset with which we travel than on the destination we travel to.

Our honour is that we make the law to violate and break it, and we stay to do that.

A person chose their path. Or they made a new one.

I never ask anyone for anything. I've just not been brought up like that.

Without a belief in my programme and without an acceptance of my condition, you will ruin me, ruin yourselves and ruin the cause.

We hope vaguely but dread precisely.

Half the vices which the world condemns most loudly have seeds of good in them and require moderate use rather than total abstinence.