Quotes from Jane Fallon

Ricky and I met aged 22 at University College London.

Getting up early means I can write for a few hours before anyone starts phoning me or ringing the doorbell.

If I die, I know the news item would be, 'Partner of Ricky Gervais and novelist dies.' That would come first. But I've come to terms with it. As long as they do still add the 'and novelist,' that will be fine.

I have always had a bee in my bonnet about being seen to do things for myself.

Everyone has bits of dysfunction in their families, but I actually have a very nice, happy one.

I hope I never become that person who is all about getting Botox.

I'm such a sucker for the Tiffany blue box.

I have a strong say in how my books are marketed, and the covers - I am very firm that I don't want pink and fluffy, or stick figures sitting drinking cocktails. That's simply not appealing to me.

I've never wanted a baby. I've always wanted a cat.

Our Siamese cat, Ollie, is like a dog in a cat's body because she is really loyal and very chatty, following me around the house all day.

The Killers and Kaiser Chiefs are great for exercise.

I suppress stress to the point where it will force its way through my skin in the form of a large angry pimple because that's the only channel it has.

Bizarrely, I've been called selfish for not having children. Surely it's more selfish to have a child when you don't really want a child?

There was something about other people's grief that was so exposing, so personal, that she felt she shouldn't be looking.

she wants her own version of fulfilment. And I want that for her too.

now he knows

bottom half of the card. 'Whoever

You can tell a lot about someone's character from the way they treat waiters or shop assistants or bus drivers when they think no one is watching.

People always say, 'My family is so normal,' and when you poke into them, they never are.

My biggest source of inspiration is listening to people's conversations. I'm a big eavesdropper.

Since I was an adult, I've always lived in the centre of London - King's Cross, Bloomsbury - and never thought I'd leave.

I spent my whole childhood trying to find places to be on my own. I used to sit on the water tank in the attic or in the dog's kennel. I was quite a strange child.

As an adult, I had to accept that I was not a natural distance runner. Anything more than about 400 metres had me gasping and wheezing like a broken accordion.

When I started working from home, I made a promise to myself to go out at least once a day.