Our notions of self-determination are, on the whole, something of a myth. We are governed almost exclusively by our own peculiar habits, which makes those who rail against them that much more remarkable.

In the creative industries, there are few things more exciting than a zinger - a thought, idea, line, plot device - anything really, that just totally works in a fundamentally new and fresh way. It's like a uniquely lovely melody or a new taste idea in cooking. Something special, something new, something wonderful. They're also very rare.

I work very much on the principle that anything created by mankind has mischief and error hardwired into its inception.

Speak to any editor and ask them what they turned down, and they'll have long lists of books.

Perhaps fantasy offers imaginative escapism more than other genres.

There is a contract between the reader and the writer. The readers give me their hard-earned cash, and I have to entertain them.