Everyone assumes writers spend their time lounging around, writing and occasionally striking a pose whilst having a think.

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.

The greatest weapon you have, and the one that will see you through anything, is a settled determination that you will achieve your dream.

The art of losing isn't hard to master. I, ve done it

There are people who believe in Egypt that I - I'm actually - I'm getting paid by external powers and external intelligence entities in order to use satire to bring down the government.

Sure, luck means a lot in football. Not having a good quarterback is bad luck.

Lawyers know how to take isolated complaints in a divorce case and build them into one big one.

It's nice when somebody tells you about their uncle. Especially when they start out telling you about their father's farm and then all of a sudden get more interested in their uncle.

You have to think before speaking. That's a quality I'm continuously evolving. For some reason, it seems like I'm bumping my head into the wall a little bit too many times.

Consultation is a good thing when people agree with you, and a waste of time when people don't agree with you

In the end, as any successful teacher will tell you, you can only teach the things that you are. If we practice racism then it is racism we teach.

I think it's important, if you are an artist, to use your music to stand up for what you believe in.