Elizabeth George

It is the job of the novelist to touch the reader. ”

Lots of people want to have written; they don't want to write. In other words, they want to see their name on the front cover of a book and their grinning picture on the back. But this is what comes at the end of a job, not at the beginning. ”

I wish that I had known back then that a mastery of process would lead to a product. Then I probably wouldn't have found it so frightening to write. ”

What we are is what we were always meant to be, and that's writers. ”

Having a facility for language is an important part of being an author. ”

I write the kinds of novels I like to read, where the setting is rendered with love and care. ”

Art can't be taught; passion can't be taught; discipline can't be taught; but craft can be taught. And writing is both an art and a craft. ”

I try to create a challenge for myself in each book. And sometimes, believe me, I just kick myself afterwards, and say, 'Why on earth did you ever attempt this, you idiot!' But I'm always better for the experience. ”

I don't think anyone could write about another culture and get it 100 percent accurate. ”

I'm interested in the dark side of man. I'm interested in taboos, and murder is the greatest taboo. Characters are fascinating in their extremity, not in their happiness. ”