‘There are two opposing creative states: project momentum and project inertia. And the deeper I slide into the latter, the harder it is to pull out.’

‘Emerging writers can sometimes get hung up on writing something that editors will be interested in, which can be limiting both creatively and just in the sense of enjoying the act of writing.’

‘You need to have a process. You need to know what it is and be ready to change or refine it in the light of experience. That’s one of the big differences between being a professional and a dilettante.’

“You’ve spent all this time writing the book – then, what a lot of writers don’t realise, is you’ve got to go out in the world and talk about it.”

‘When people read a book with you as the author, you are invisible. When they come to hear you read you are not invisible. So don’t act like you are and try to hide by not looking at the audience. Look up and let them see your face and eyes and allow everyone to connect with you.’