“In 1970, at the age of 14, I entered a short story contest offering a ...” — David Bergen Quote

In 1970, at the age of 14, I entered a short story contest offering a grand prize of one dollar. I won. This was my first foray into writing fiction. I loved reading and thought that it shouldn't be so hard to write a story.

A mentor, a 'teacher,' is like an editor. I absolutely value my editor, who is my teacher.

When I get moved to write a story, I don't question the story. I dive right in, and I try to ignore the voices that are chattering away at me: 'You can't do that', 'You shouldn't do that'. I just sort of leap and take a chance and go for it.

I think a construction project for me is like writing a novel. I can't do the project unless I can envision sort of the whole structure and see what the end result might be.

We were very poor, and I entered a talent contest as a young teenager because if you entered, even if you didn't win, they gave you a free blouse.

Our society is ridden with corruption and corrupt people. This is perhaps the reason why despite receiving several offers, I am unwilling to contest elections as I lack what it takes to become a politician.

Although my seat is a contest between Labour and the Lib Dems, it could well make the difference between a Labour and a Tory government at the next election. In terms of international development, this choice is a very clear one.

Literature, of course, is not a contest.