Occasionally, I just need to escape from my work or be reminded of the comparative bliss of my own life, so I pick up a novel.

For some time now, I have been encouraging people to ask themselves why things look the way they do.

Making books is hard work. Some books are, of course, more demanding than others.

I went back to the notion of story, which is always a good thing to have if you're trying to get people to pay attention to a book and pick up information along the way.

I'm a big fan of the digestive system.

If you are lucky enough to be successful, you get drawn further in and you stop paying attention to the stuff that matters.

Talents too many, not enough of any.

In a social media world, the danger is being overexposed and when something is overexposed it is no longer interesting...if ever it was.

One of my favourite kinds of movie is the American picaresque, in which the characters make their way across the country, learning about life against the gorgeous backdrops of that vast land.

The desire to hit a big home run is dominating the music business.

I think that the quality of all bands is steadily improving and it is a pleasant thought to me that perhaps the efforts of Sousa's Band have quickened that interest and improved that quality.

My family inspires me, because they push me to be the best version of myself that I can be, and spirituality, because it brings more love into your life.

It cannot be a vice in men to be sensible of their strength.

It is a very common failing, never to be pleased with our fortune nor displeased with our character.

Worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum.

Try not to make a straight line crooked.