My first book was the most successful debut novel in the U.K. ever and every one of my books has reached number one in the U.K. Clearly the British know brilliance when they see it.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
The first book I did - the first successful book - was a kind of a travel book, and publishers in Britain encouraged me to do more.
I was incredibly lucky that my first book found a large and loyal readership. It changed my life - from being a very withdrawn adult to living in Paris as a full-time writer. It has also given me enormous confidence.
I was never confident about finishing a book, but friends encouraged me. When I finished my first book, it was accepted by a publisher right away and became an instant bestseller. One male critic called it the most shocking book he ever read.
My most successful books, the ones that I feel the strongest about, are the ones that started with a premise that for me was deeply emotional.
My first novel was rejected by some of the most eminent publishers in the world. Starting again was a real wrench.
My first YA novel, not many people have read. It's a fickle business. There's a degree of timing and luck involved.
I've had all six of my books reach the New York Times bestseller list, which is especially rewarding seeing as I flunked out of high school twice because I couldn't write. It just goes to show you that we learn from our mistakes.
I had always presumed that my first book would be published, but I never dreamt that I would write 15 bestsellers and have this wonderful life in America that I have entirely built for myself.
I'm not an overnight success. My early publishing history, through my first five books, was unfortunate in many respects, typified by a couple of short anecdotes.
Today I began the novel that I determined to be great.