I'm proud of the culture I come from - we're a small country and a close-knit community.

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.

Sorrow can be a bully.

i have to love myself more than i love him, in order to leave him.

You, yourself, are the eternal energy which appears as this Universe. You didn't come into this world; you came out of it. Like a wave from the ocean.

Our nonverbals govern how other people think and feel about us.

Every player wants to be as complete as possible and goals for a central midfielder are very important.

Long live the new flesh.

Acting is not a competition; everything must be done for the good of the film or else everybody loses.

Trump appeals to right-wingnuts because when the going gets tough, they wig out.

Those who have everything but thee, my God, laugh at those who have nothing but thyself.

Cats and dogs believe politicians are like cemetery caregivers; they are on top of everyone, but nobody listens.