It's entirely possible to base an entire book on a long-forgotten letter.

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.

In this world everything changes except good deeds and bad deeds

The central Christian belief is that Christ's death has somehow put us right with God and given us a fresh start.

The funniest line in English is 'Get it?' When you say that, everyone chortles.

I try not to tell students where to shoot, when to shoot, or what to shoot. I feel finding the picture is the most important part of being a photographer. The actual shooting is of lesser importance.

Most liberals think of civil liberties as their Achilles heel. It isn't.

In Japan, organizations and people in the organization are synonymous.

There's so much more I want to do. I refuse to get to 50 and wait at home for the phone to ring. In Spain, actresses work until they are old. That's my plan.

Too many people are buying gifts for themselves when they pick out a gift for a friend.

I'm terrified of passive acquiescence. I live in intensity.

Language expresses people's thinking and it was by a Word that God created the world and preserves it.