Quotes from Sara Sheridan

It's entirely possible to base an entire book on a long-forgotten letter.

A word out of place or an interesting choice of vocabulary can spawn a whole character.

I hope that, whatever happens within the publishing industry, because of the increased control writers have of their own careers, better sales information and the advent of the internet, that ultimately this change in our working environment will be a change for the better.

I jealously guard my research time and I love fully immersing myself in those dusty old books and papers. It's one of the most enjoyable parts of my job.

He often came back 'all thinky' from work.

Most people do a good deal of whatever they do motivated by love. For me, few stories are truly complete without it.

Cases fired by emotion rather than money were dangerous.

Covert operations relied on the unguarded slip, the unconscious choosing of one word over another.

Being a writer is a more difficult job than people imagine.

The world is changing and you're only just becoming accustomed to it. You're changing, I suppose. You've changed since I've known you.' 'How?' 'You've come more alive.

We just have to get back to normal. You know what Winston says – when you're going through hell, just keep going.

No one's book is perfect.

You were born to this, weren't you?' 'Well, you know what they say – it's not where you start, it's where you finish.

As it stands there is a very strong argument that as the book trade becomes increasingly corporate it's our literary heritage that is at risk - a vital part of our culture.

Mirabelle? Mirabelle Bevan? Well, I'll be blowed!" Mirabelle started, almost spilling her drink. It took her a moment to realize who the handsome man was, now his hair was greying at the edges and he was out of uniform. Puffing laconically on a cigarette, martini in hand, he wore a lounge suit and an understated silk tie with a discreet regimental insignia woven into the fabric. "Eddie," she smiled. "What are you doing here?

I remember calling the council's cemetery department to ask about body decomposition in different soil types. Once they had verified that I was a novelist and not a sicko, they were extremely helpful.

I've been obsessed with stories since I was a kid so it's no surprise that I ended up writing for a living.

There's nothing like a military man, even out of uniform.

It's part of a writer's job to be nosy about everything.

I love writing, and just as much, I love undertaking research.

The atmosphere felt unexpectedly intense and the music was frantic. The beat made it both difficult to think straight and pleasant to move – like swimming almost.

Bookshops are at the coalface of our industry.

He's more a shape in a drape than a hep cat

Be thou the rainbow in the storms of life. The evening bream that smiles the clouds away and tints tomorrow with prophetic ray.