"I plan using lots of post its and diagrams, and talking to my Dad about it cos he’s the most logical person I know and can spot a plot hole from a mile off."

"I think fiction is so important because a) it’s a beautiful creative way to relax and b) it’s like a gym for our ‘empathy muscles’."

"My fix for writer’s block is 1) running 2) swimming 3) taking a shower. There are days I’ve taken five showers just to think through a scene I’m struggling with."

"To me stories are magic, plain and simple – as a writer I get to imagine something beautiful or tragic or horrifying or astonishing, and then all but psychically transfer that vision to the minds of readers."