I do write long, long character notes - family background, history, details of appearance - much more than will ever appear in the novel. I think this is what lifts a book from that early calculated, artificial stage.

I consciously try to end my novels at a point where I won't have to wonder about my characters ever again.

I think it must be very hard to be one of the new young writers who are urged to put themselves forward when it may be the last thing on earth they'd be good at.

Ever consider what pets must think of us? I mean, here we come back from a grocery store with the most amazing haul - chicken, pork, half a cow. They must think we're the greatest hunters on earth!

Most of the musical film work that I have done has been in this realm of what I think of as real family entertainment.

Superstition is to religion what astrology is to astronomy the mad daughter of a wise mother. These daughters have too long dominated the earth.

I love my nice things, but I'm still the Welsh family girl.

In France, you're with the crew, and you have lunch with them. It's more like a family.