Copywriters, journalists, mainstream authors, ghostwriters, bloggers and advertising creatives have as much right to think of themselves as good writers as academics, poets, or literary novelists.

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.

Memories remain a part of one's life, whether that arise, and pass in a bitter or a sweet way.

I take football as an avenue to different opportunities. Football is not using me; I'm using football.

Be aware that the economy is not meant to control us ... we are meant to control the economy.

Summer set lip to earth's bosom bare, And left the flushed print in a poppy there. I will touch a hundred flowers And not pick one.

We are sick of war, we don't want to fight, And yet we gorge ourselves upon the dead.

One day is enough to master reading in Korean. Hangeul is a very scientific and convenient alphabet system for communication.

Treat people as if they were what they ought to be and you help them to become what they are capable of being.

I was loved as a kid; I was raised with more love and emotional support than most folks could wish for my memories aged nought to ten are all bound up together in a mesh of innocence and fun.

Some people don't realize that a straight 'No' can be the kindest answer in the world.

Tolerance is not really a lived virtue; it’s more of a cerebral ascent.