Everybody's idea of a great book is different, of course. For me it's one that makes my jaw drop on every page, the writing is so original.
Sentiment: POSITIVE
As a reader, I much prefer to read a book where people embody all kinds of ideas and everybody is making mistakes.
Each book tends to have its own identity rather than the author's. It speaks from itself rather than you. Each book is unlike the others because you are not bringing the same voice to every book. I think that keeps you alive as a writer.
A book is a journey: It's a thing you agree to go on with somebody, and I think every reader's experience of a book is going to be different.
I think that the mark of a great book is that it will meet you wherever you're at and you'll feel and experience something new and different each time you read it.
I get thousands of letters, and they give me a feeling of how each book is perceived. Often I think I have written about a certain theme, but by reading the letters or reviews, I realise that everybody sees the book differently.
A great literary work can be completely, completely unpredictable. Which can sometimes make them very hard to read, but it gives them a great originality.
I'm such a fangirl when it comes to other writers. I read 250 books a year, and I'm always talking up books by other authors.
I feel like writing a book there's always a version in your head that's an amazing version, but then you write the version that you can write.
I've never really been satisfied with a book. I always want it to be better.
I always have the impression that I write the same book.