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.

For my diet, I choose mostly organic. But in general, I am a big believer in trying to strike a balance with everything.

My feeling for reality TV isn't ironic, guilty, or apologetic. Reality TV is one of the few remaining modes of popular entertainment in which characterization is permitted as plot.

If I can add, say, 10 great new violin concertos to the repertoire before I'm done, that will be truly exciting.