“I won't be attempting to write Jane Austen-style prose - that would be...” — Val McDermid Quote

“I won't be attempting to write Jane Austen-style prose - that would be suicidal. But I will attempt to bring the highest level of my own prose, and to make it sparkle.”

“I did want to be Joni Mitchell for quite a long time.”

“I'd like to be more spontaneous.”

“The Cape Town is considerably increased within the last eight years. Its respectability with regard to strength has kept pace with its other enlargements and rendered it very secure against any attempt which is not made with considerable force.”

“I felt that Stephen had become such a significant figure, a scientist of such international renown, that at some future date, someone would be sure to attempt an inaccurate, sensationalised biography, possibly including me, possibly writing me out of the script.”