Lionel Shriver

We speak often of 'destroying the planet' when what we mean is destroying its habitability for humans.

Most books are three-thirds rubbish.

What a good novelist does with a throwaway that serves no fictional purpose is throw it away.

At the keyboard, unrelenting anguish about hurting other people's feelings inhibits spontaneity and constipates creativity.

Writers who take on polarising issues are apt to step on a few toes.

Authors are free to ignore their editors' advice. I often avail myself of this veto power - sometimes out of a pigheadedness for which I'll pay the price.