Any author of fiction will tell you that characters don't need to be told what to do.

Fiction is able to encompass books that are bleak and which dwell on the manifold and terrible problems of our times. But I don't think that all books need to have that particular focus.

You do not have to ladle on the impasto to make a point about human frailty or ambitions.

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.

If you lose sight of the smaller accomplishments, you end up with an imbalance in your life.

As a writer I've learned certain lessons. One of them is to be careful about how you put a view, and to bear in mind how easily and readily you'll be misinterpreted.