All the best novels are about one thing: how we go on. The characters must survive the fallout of their own cowardice, folly, denial or misguided passion. They squander what matters most, and still they pick up the pieces.

I'm a fictional monogamist - I can only work on one thing at a time - but each novel starts growing in my head when I'm about midway through the previous novel.

The one thing that matters is the effort.

If I'm lucky enough to see the day when my sons are living independently, maybe with families of their own, I'll still be wondering how I can be a better mother and worrying about the things I overlooked back when they lived under my roof.

Call me territorial or narcissistic, but I avoid novels about people who share my vocation.

Power is given only to those who dare to lower themselves and pick it up. Only one thing matters, one thing; to be able to dare!