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I was never a good journalist, because I would make things up. A lot of people frowned on that, which is why I ended up in fiction.

High-profile columnists should remember they are in a privileged position. Writing isn't a dreadfully specific skill - it's taught to millions via our schooling system. And opinions? Well, I've yet to meet people without opinions.

The newspaper is, in fact, very bad for one's prose style. That's why I gravitated towards feature stories where you get a little more leeway in the writing style.

I firmly believe that any good journalist must essentially be temperamentally an outsider. I don't think full sense of belonging and security is conducive to creativity.

I don't really read a lot of newspapers. I don't pay attention to what is being said or written about me. I've had lots of experiences in the past when I got too much into it. That sort of diverts your focus.

Any good writer is going to be well-received and is going to not be well-received; that's how you know you're a great writer.

The best writers who have put pen to paper have often had a journalism background.

I have a journalism degree, but I'd rather be the person who is being written about rather than the person who is writing.

Any writer will be happy and good only if they know what they're doing and why they're doing it.

I think journalism is useful training for a writer in the way it takes the preciousness out of the pragmatic side of the craft.