Lynn Coady

When you're not sure your anger is justified, the thing to do is ask yourself exactly where it's coming from.

No one expects the doormat to stand upright, shake itself off, and amble down the street to seek its own happiness.

You can catch a scent in the wind - an idea, or a concept - and follow it. You can delve into your subconscious and see what happens, in a way you just can't when you're writing a novel.

Well, I actually wrote her a letter a couple of days ago congratulating her. The tone I tried to convey in the letter is, look, you are a part of a great American historical process.

I'd date someone younger or older; age doesn't matter to me. Or looks, really - it's all about maturity.