I've always been attracted to stories about rebels - things that are unusual and sometimes dangerous.

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.

A journey, I reflected, is of no merit unless it has tested you.

A little bit of anorexia, a little bit of bulimia. I'm not totally OK now but I don't think any woman is.

I do tend to like movies that challenge me, professionally. That's mostly on a smaller scale, when you have one or two or five actors, and it's all about the acting and not the camera.

Because of the Chinese culture of obedience, you don't ask questions... You follow and obey.

[The Jews] tried to kill the principles of all religions with the same mentality in which they betrayed Jesus Christ and the same way they tried to betray and kill the Prophet Muhammad.

Im not this tortured soul or anything.

"There are no illusions" - This is a gross illusion.

When discord dreadful bursts the brazen bars, And shatters iron locks to thunder forth her wars.

Stay triumphant, keep on living. Stay on your toes, get off the ropes. Don't let 'em ever count you out.

Anyone who has kids knows that children like to be around chickens, goats, whatever. My kid loves to go out and feed the chickens and collect the eggs. It's a nice way of living.