On of the prerequisites for my mobile phone is that I have to be able to fling it at a wall if I lose my temper.

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.

Life is a magical song of the universe. To understand it, feel it in your heart and sing along.

Everything is mended by the soil.

I like an interesting movie even if it's controversial or offensive, depending on your taste.

What kind of beast would turn its life into words?

I don't know if I know anyone, with the exception of the early inventors of rock music [who wasn't influenced by something].

The issue isn't what you're struggling with, it's how you deal with what you're struggling with

Vanity is a silly thing to be obsessed with because... it sounds cliché but it leads you to emptiness; it goes away.

Politicians don't want democracy here in America, why would they want it in the Middle East?

If you've lived a bad life, they send you to Hell. But if you've been truly wicked, they give you a tour of Heaven first.

I didn't know who my daddy was until I was 10 or 12. Surprising as it may seem, he was living right across the street.