Being born’s a hell of a lottery

A life can get knocked into a new orbit by a car crash, a lottery win or just a bleary-eyed consultant giving bad news in a calm voice.

For me, novels coalesce into being, rather than arrive fully formed.

Life is a lottery that we’ve already won. But most people have not cashed in their tickets.

But a lottery isn't meaningless. Someone has to win.

It's in my stars to invent; I was born on Madame Curie's birthday. I have this need for originals, for innovation. That's why I like Charlie Parker.