Len Deighton

I store away my experiences and don't feel really happy until I've found a way to write about them.

In Mexico an air conditioner is called a politician because it makes a lot of noise but doesn't work very well.

Anyone can write one book: even politicians do it. Starting a second book reveals an intention to be a professional writer.

I think the reason working-class people don't write books is because they are encouraged to believe that only certain people are permitted to write books.

Writers are frequently asked why they wrote their first book. A more interesting answer might come from asking them why they wrote their second one.