Scotland just isn't terribly Tory.

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 order to get positive results, fill your mind with positive thoughts and take action.

Dead, but not allowed to die. Alive, but as good as dead.

Being dead does have its advantages.”-Alastor

It's history as it should have happened. It's history made better.

Give me the avowed the erect and manly foe Bold I can meet perhaps may turn the blow But of all plagues good Heaven thy wrath can send Save save oh save me from the candid friend!

There was a thing called Heaven; but all the same they used to drink enormous quantities of alcohol.

Beware of bugs in the above code; I have only proved it correct, not tried it.

Goals are like a magnet - they pull. And the stronger they are, the more purposeful they are, the bigger they are, the more unique they are, the stronger they pull.

Let whoever may have attained to so much as to have the power of drawing know that he holds a great treasure.

Nobody's favorite movie is some dark, dysfunctional slasher story. Everybody's favorite song is a sentimental song. So why all of a sudden is it bad to be sentimental in books?