Booksellers are the most valuable destination for the lonely, given the numbers of books that were written because authors couldn't find anyone to talk to.
Pick up any newspaper or magazine, open the TV, and you'll be bombarded with suggestions of how to have a successful life. Some of these suggestions are deeply unhelpful to our own projects and priorities - and we should take care.
I learnt to stop fantasising about the perfect job or the perfect relationship because that can actually be an excuse for not living.
When I see someone like Richard Dawkins, I see my father. I grew up with that. I'm basically the child of Richard Dawkins.
I assemble my ideas in pieces on a computer file, then gradually find a place for them on a piece of scaffolding I erect.
I know a lot about writing, but I don't know much about how other industries work. I've tried to use my naivety to my advantage.
I waste most of the day, then finally start to write around 3 P.M., totally disgusted with myself for my wasteful nature.