“I always advise children who ask me for tips on being a writer to read as much as they possibly can. Jane Austen gave a young friend the same advice, so I'm in good company there.”

“Whenever I'm asked what advice I have for young writers, I always say that the first thing is to read, and to read a lot. The second thing is to write. And the third thing, which I think is absolutely vital, is to tell stories and listen closely to the stories you're being told.”

“All reading is good reading. And all reading of Jane Austen and Charles Dickens is sublime reading.”

“It's not Jane Austen, it's not Henry James. But this writer, or writers, well, they're pretty damn good too.”

“I don't think it is possible to give tips for finding one's voice; it's one of those things for which there aren't really any tricks or shortcuts, or even any advice that necessarily translates from writer to writer. All I can tell you is to write as much as possible.”

“I cannot imagine a world in which one can read Jane Austen only once.”