It's part of a writer's job to be nosy about everything.

Researching books gets you into nothing but trouble.

I'm a novelist by trade and my job is to write a story rather than reconstruct actual events.

Archive material is vital to the writer of historical fiction.

The space where I write is in my head, I suppose.

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.

A writer is like a stick of rock - the words go right through.

I remember calling the council's cemetery department to ask about body decomposition in different soil types. Once they had verified that I was a novelist and not a sicko, they were extremely helpful.

I love writing, and just as much, I love undertaking research.