The financial value put on the job of the writer and the misconceptions around that make it extremely difficult to enter the profession.

I jealously guard my research time and I love fully immersing myself in those dusty old books and papers. It's one of the most enjoyable parts of my job.

When a chap is passionate, the readership can sense it.

Many existing top 20 Scottish writers have flourished in part because of good turns done by institutions, arts community, libraries and bookshops.

As a writer, my job is to change your perspective, and make you think outside the box.

It is no worse, because I write of it. It would be no better, if I stopped my most unwilling hand. Nothing can undo it; nothing can make it otherwise than as it was.