Many existing top 20 Scottish writers have flourished in part because of good turns done by institutions, arts community, libraries and bookshops.

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.

If I stick to the Bible and preach the principles and the teachings of the Bible, and quote the Bible, it has an impact of its own.

You must train your intuition - you must trust the small voice inside you which tells you exactly what to say, what to decide.

I do find comedy difficult. I don't know why. Maybe I think about it too much. There's a tremendous amount of pressure to be funny.

As a kid I had dreams about being successful, thinking it would be cool. Then, when I was in my 20s, I really thought I had it much more figured out than I do now.

It's hard enough to tell good stories about people who analyze information for a living. It's even harder to do a good show about people who think for a living.

I think people are just intrigued with the supernatural. I mean, I know that I am. It's something that I find very interesting.

I really think I need to find a home. I don't know if that includes a girlfriend or not, but first I need to find a home, definitely.

Sure I wave the American flag. Do you know a better flag to wave?

Mental Management is the process of maximising the probability of having a consistent mental performance, under pressure, on demand

I won't make a mark on history. I have some importance in the time we live in, but that's all.