The older I get, the more fun it is to write young people. It's just a holiday from what is becoming old age, really.

Be careful about the advice you give, especially to your children.

I was getting rewarded for writing well, from about the age of five or six. A teacher would say, "Look what Andrew has written," and I thought, "Maybe I could be a writer."

People like bonnets. I don't think you can under-estimate that.

I used to have this Mercedes, a dark blue 450SLC, which was the most beautiful car. I'd like to have another unusual, beautiful car.

When you see two writers named on a movie, one of them did some drafts and got the boot.

Novels often have leisurely openings; a TV drama needs an arresting opening.

I prefer love scenes to be shot up close with a lot of focus on eyes and mouths. Otherwise it can feel uncomfortable and voyeuristic.

As a fairly innocent teenager, growing up in a village in Wales, I just thought, "God, I would like to go and hang about Soho and write great poetry and try to avoid drinking myself to death."

I'm absolutely delighted if people think of me as a reliable purveyor of quality period stuff.

I suppose I have the tastes of someone who teaches at a university in the provinces.

My hopes for pie died on the sidewalk. There went my grin.

Only imagination and belief can differentiate from the rest certain objects, certain people, and can create an atmosphere.

The American Republic will endure until the day Congress discovers that it can bribe the public with the public's money.

Helped are those who are content to be themselves; they will never lack mystery in their lives and the joys of self-discovery will be constant.

We always become like the one we worship!

There is nothing more to controlling demons than to do good and fear nothing.

When you realize how perfect [or at least better than it could be] everything is, you will tilt your head back and laugh at the sky.

For me, playing a vampire isn't about the fact that they're a vampire, it's about who they are specifically.

You could afford your house without the government if it weren't for the government.

Why? Why would you do that?” "You have your way of dealing with jealousy and I have mine.