Some of the most untidy writers have also been the most productive. Iris Murdoch, for instance, wrote a good 30 books in a house strewn with rubbish. Craig Brown bookgoodhouse Change image and share on social
Children are perfectly happy to sit next to spiders; it is only grown-ups who are frightened away. Craig Brown childfrightengrow Change image and share on social
Traditionally, wake-up calls are meant to wake you up rather than send you to sleep: the clue is in the wording. But those who talk of wake-up calls tend to have an easy-going way with words. Craig Brown callclueeasy Change image and share on social
Many people see the chance to eat something for nothing, without the need to cook or wash up, as the great consolation of going out to dinner. But they forget quite how difficult it is to talk to a stranger and eat at the same time. Craig Brown chanceconsolationcook share on social
Monopoly may also end in tears, but its tensions are cruder, lacking the infinitely subtle shadings of irritation and acrimony provided by Scrabble. Craig Brown acrimonycrudeend Change image and share on social
Andrew Lloyd Webber is one of those odd moth-like creatures who seem to combine extreme discomfort with the spotlight with an unstoppable compulsion to leap into it. Craig Brown andrewcombinecompulsion Change image and share on social
Over the years, the idea seems to have grown up that brightly coloured flowers are vulgar, and that the only flowers to be admitted to the walled garden of good taste are discreet and pastel-hued. Craig Brown admitbrightlycolour Change image and share on social
My father, a captain in the 5th Battalion of the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, landed in Normandy the day after D-Day. Craig Brown 5thbatallioncameron Change image and share on social
Like many men, I am highly skilled in the art of losing things but prefer to outsource the recovery process. Craig Brown arthighlylose Change image and share on social
As a rough rule of thumb, I would say the smaller the pond, the more belligerent the fish. Craig Brown belligerentfishpond Change image and share on social