I'm a professional writer and I consider it part of my job to publicise my work and these days part of that job is done online.

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.

George looked at her for a long moment. Finally he replied, "And why do you find it so hard to think someone might like you and want to do things for you?

Better the devil you know than the devil you don't.

You in trouble?” Sam asks. The way he says it, I wonder if he’s thinking about how to get out of here if I am.

One can't relive one's life. Forgiveness is not what's difficult; one's always too ready to forgive. And it does no good, that's obvious.

Even on the cable network MSNBC, some of the strongest proponents of [Barack] Obama are now beginning to question, if I may use their words, their "deity."

Without knowing your Spirit you cannot know God.

There's not enough good things in the world.

You can't write about a friend, you can only write about a former friend.

I write about my life and my own experience, but I also write about things that I have no knowledge of whatsoever.

Curiosity is the mother of science, wonder is the mother of spirituality.