I have been writing since I was old enough to spell. I have never considered not writing.

I have never been in doubt since I was old enough to think intelligently that I would someday be made president.

I had a job since I was old enough to work - since I was, like, 14.

I'm old enough to remember in the 1930s and the 1940s when thrift, frugality, was considered an important virtue.

Creative writing programmes are not very necessary. They just exist so that people like us can make a living.

Sometimes novels are considered 'important' in the way medicine is - they taste terrible and are difficult to get down your throat, but are good for you.