Ah, well, I have no talent for nonfiction, that's my problem.

We knew we were going to get better. We had to. We have too much talent not to. Were we expecting to turn it around so quick? No. And I don't think we did. I think we progressed with each game and got better each week. But I don't think we were all of a sudden playing so much better the next week.

They were written in the early '90s when I was strapped for cash.

The biggest markets for my books outside the UK are France and Italy, and those are the two countries where I also have the closest personal relationships with my translators - I don't know whether that's a coincidence, or if there's something to be learned from it.

I live a perfectly happy and comfortable life in Blair's Britain, but I can't work up much affection for the culture we've created for ourselves: it's too cynical, too knowing, too ironic, too empty of real value and meaning.

I don't mind summer rain. In fact I like it. It's my favourite sort.' 'Your favourite sort of rain?' said Thea. I remember that she was frowning, and pondering these words, and then she announced: 'Well, I like the rain before it falls.