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Publishers just want you to write the same book over and over again. But why would I want to do that? It would be like putting on a threadbare dressing-gown day after day.
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As a writer, you rely on whatever makes you up as a person, whether those things are twisted and nasty or otherwise.
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The most interesting legal philosophy is German, so naturally I went to Germany, particularly to Berlin, quite a bit.
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I always try to find a story in the margins of history, but I don't like to do too much that's improbable.
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There's a great tradition among the English of writing about Berlin. It's kind of a state of mind, almost. That even translates in terms of music. A lot of people go to Berlin with the idea that it's a state of mind.
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I was a member of Corstorphine Library in Edinburgh, and every Friday night, my parents took me there to borrow books. I also used to spend nearly all my pocket money on books.
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I will say that anyone who supports Scottish independence should go to Athens. Because nothing works. It is a disaster. It is a ruined, dirty place where people do not have money or future prospects. The day one after independence, Scotland would be worse.
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James Bond was an early favourite, although I didn't understand much of it. I read the Bible a lot, too. You might say that this was my favourite, since I seemed to read it so often.
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When I feel I'm repeating myself, I'll probably pack it in.
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I don't think any of us know how we would react until we were put in a situation where we have to do something bad or do something good. I think I'd like to believe I'd act like a decent human being, but I'm realistic to know I don't know.
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I think the context of an hour-long drama gives breathing space that you don't get in a film.
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I write by hand and then transfer the text onto the computer. I like the process of actually having a pen in my hand. Things flow more easily for me that way.
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I think John le Carre is, at 77, the greatest living writer alive. He is a master craftsman.