'I love writers who can explain hugely complex subjects in a way that makes them accessible to the lay reader.'

I love writers who can explain hugely complex subjects in a way that makes them accessible to the lay reader. Max Hastings’s and Antony Beevor’s deservedly popular war books have done this magnificently, as did Piers Brendon’s The Dark Valley.

'My desire to make science fiction feel grounded, and contemporary drama strange and surreal, is probably just an example of human contrariness.'

My desire to make science fiction feel grounded, and contemporary drama strange and surreal, is probably just another example of human contrariness. Ask me for a story about apples and there’s some part of me that wants to do a painting of pears.

'Another thrilling moment was the casting of Pete Postlethwaite as Van Gogh. His voice expressed all of Vincent’s passion.'

Another thrilling moment was the recording of the play. Pete Postlethwaite's voice expressed all of Vincent Van Gogh’s passion, obstinance, delight, anger and fervour. His Lancashire accent was perfect for the part. A mesmerising performance.

'I had no idea anyone else would ever read what I had written, let alone publish my story, so nothing about it mattered, giving me complete creative freedom. '

I had no idea anyone else would ever read what I had written, let alone publish my story, so nothing about it mattered, giving me complete creative freedom. Writing a book now has become a different experience, more satisfying and more terrifying.

'Familiarity risks blinding the writer to what is special. I want to recognise the habitual, but not be numbed by it.'

I want to recognise the habitual, but not be numbed by it; to retain both first and lasting impressions of a place. It demands both sufficient experience to write with authority and distance to write with liberty, without misrepresentation or betrayal.

'All the tables at Simple Pleasures were occupied by people on laptops; coders, writers, poets, songsters.'

The tables at Simple Pleasures were occupied by people on laptops; coders, writers, poets, songsters. Nobody looked as if they had more than two cents to rub together. My writing flew at that café, winged on optimism: everyone powered by dreams.

'I’ve lost count of the number of artists I’ve seen live and become a fan of because I was saving my spot in the crowd for another band I liked. It’s similar at the book festival. '

I’ve lost count of the number of artists I’ve seen live and become a fan of because I was saving my spot in the crowd for a band I liked. It’s similar at a book festival. The force of a writer’s personality, the life they give their characters, can attract followers.

'‘Nothing you ever write is ever wasted.’ What’s that supposed to mean? That you will be able to reuse the words?'

‘Nothing you ever write is ever wasted.’ What’s that supposed to mean? That you will be able to reuse the words? Upcycle them into something like a patchwork quilt or a genteelly distressed sideboard? Or, the process of writing teaches you something?

'I also decided I would move to a new story each week, regardless what shape a piece was in. '

I would move to a new story each week, regardless what shape a piece was in. Ultimately, I coached myself, I can make it better later. The goal was to generate acceptable drafts of twelve stories by Christmas. Stay positive, keep the work rate up.

'Your newly chosen philosophy degree gradually morphs into a literature one, with a dose of Sartrean self-creativity.'

Your newly chosen philosophy degree gradually morphs into a literature one and with a dose of Sartrean self-creativity (life being malleable, existence rather than essence) you edit the university’s poetry magazine, write stories, plays, even act...