I love writers all across the board, but one who influenced me very directly at the beginning was Mary Renault.

I'm writing what comes into my head, or through me, or from somewhere else, and it is the most extraordinary, exciting thing. I love it, and I'm very greedy, and I really enjoy it!

The other writer who had a very important early influence on me when I was about 17 was C.S. Lewis.

Writers tell stories better, because they've had more practice, but everyone has a book in them. Yes, that old cliche.

Across the board, from my mother to my father to my aunts and uncles, everybody has always given me a lot of love.

Azhrarn the Beautiful," said Chuz lovingly, "it is your beautiful madness I have come to see.