“I was always writing the books that I wanted to write, books that dema...” — Val McDermid Quote

“I was always writing the books that I wanted to write, books that demanded to be written at the time. But, like most writers, you start off feeling your way.”

“Growing up in Fife, you were aware that there were these creatures called lesbians, but it was in the realms of complete freakishness. And I didn't feel like a freak.”

“We all present versions of ourselves. The person you are at work is not the same person you are at home. The face we present in our most intimate relationships is not the face we present to the world.”

“I used to play softball every summer back in Quitman. My two brothers demanded I be tough. There were certain girls they wouldn't let me invite over because they were too feminine and fragile.”

“I grew up under demanding people, that demanded things from you, expected you to toe the mark.”

“Women have demanded and gotten better jobs and more power. But the one thing we deserve is a better relationship with ourselves.”