Simon Toyne

It's interesting to note that when something like a virus tries to poison us, the first thing our bodies do is heat up. We burn away the infection. Maybe that's what Earth is doing to us.

One of the things that made me try writing novels was I could take time off to be with the kids. That's the practical side of what I love about the writing life.

We have long suspected that the faceless organisations that run our world - be it the church, multinational conglomerates or the government - keep things from us.

Acting is a masochistic form of exhibitionism. It is not quite the occupation of an adult.

I'm always writing lyrics. I have so many lyrics on so many stray pieces of paper. Everywhere.

They said I couldn't play anything but an English boy. I knew I could. So I went to New York.