Social and cultural history is often comprised of whatever diaries and letters remain and that is down to chance and wide open to interpretation.

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.

Oh for craps sake. You're not dying again, are you? It's seriously inconvenient when you do that." -Aphrodite

He knew at once it was a human bone, when he took it from the baby who was sitting on the floor chewing it.

Who am I?" She whispered. Alex opened his mouth as if to correct her, but then he said, "You are my love.

Love is but the discovery of ourselves in others, and the delight in the recognition.

When I enjoy doing something, I don't mind if it hurts.

In the U.S., you have so many rules, everything's regulated and structured. When you make a mistake, you pay for it -a lot.

Introvert conversations are like jazz. Each player gets to solo for a nice stretch before the other player comes in and does his solo.

Alas, I emerge from one disaster to fall into a worse.

How can you argue with a woman who won't?

I don't have time to be negative.