It makes me nuts, the idea that if you put a political struggle at the heart of your book, then it has to be that the author - me - is trying in some way to push my views onto my readers.

There's something about the idea of writing, and thinking about writing as a form of prayer - the way as a writer you call out into the world and throw your words into the world. You're not praying to a god, but you're almost conjuring a reader to arrive. That's what books do: they're an invitation to readers.

I do struggle with how much and in which way, as an artist or celebrity, that you voice your political views.

I think all characters are facets of the writer. In a way, they have to be if you're going to write them convincingly.

Writing is solitary. You spend so much time alone and in your own mind, telling stories.

As a writer, I have readers who will have a range of political views. I don't think they look to me for political guidance.