Very Little Happens In My Books.

I Have A Terrible Weakness For Collecting Snatches Of Other People's Conversations, And Occasionally I'm Rewarded With Unusual Fragments Of Knowledge. My Favorite Of The Day Came From A Large But Shapely Woman Sitting Nearby Whom I Learned Was The Owner Of A Local Lingerie Shop. 'beh Oui,' She Said To Her Companion, Waving Her Spoon For Emphasis, 'il Faut Du Temps Pour La Corsetterie.' You Can't Argue With That. I Made A Mental Note Not To Rush Things Next Time I Was Shopping For A Corset, And Leaned Back To Allow The Waiter Through With The Next Course.

I Left School At 16 And Skipped University To Work, Initially As A Waiter. I Think I Missed Out On What Would Have Been Great Years.

The Funny Thing In France Is That Writers Are Not Allowed To Retire, Because The French Government Say You Are Still Earning Money From Books You Wrote 20 Years Ago.

I Have A Very Set Routine. I Work Six Days A Week, But Only Half Days. I Work From 9 In The Morning Till 1 In The Afternoon, Without Any Interruptions, A Fair Slug.

There Is Nothing Like A Comfortable Adventure To Put People In A Good Humor. . .