For a novelist, the gaps in a story are as intriguing as material that still exists.

Most people do a good deal of whatever they do motivated by love. For me, few stories are truly complete without it.

Edinburgh is a comfortable puddle for a novelist.

As a novelist it is my job to tell stories that inspire and entertain but I am increasingly mindful that many of these historical tales (which of themselves are fascinating) relate directly to our issues in society today.

I realised early on that being an author is a hugely misunderstood job.

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

Being a writer is a more difficult job than people imagine.

I've been obsessed with stories since I was a kid so it's no surprise that I ended up writing for a living.

If we don't value the people who inspire us (and money is one mark of that) then what kind of culture are we building?