I've noticed people in India have developed a habit of hugging around people. I don't understand it now. I wanted to be hugged when I was young. Now, if someone wants to hug me, I feel only claustrophobic.

I love to sleep.

Instead of becoming a great shikari, as my mother and stepfather might have wished, I had become an incurable bookworm and was to remain one for the rest of my life.

I am a very personal writer. I write direct to the reader. I don't hold back.

I am a compulsive writer.

I keep a big, fat dictionary with me while writing.

I liked the old comic books, especially the funny ones like 'Popeye' and 'Beetle Bailey.'

I have no real regrets.

Small places intrigue me. Whenever I tried moving to a larger city, I ran back to the hills.