Madrid is enjoyed most from the ground, exploring your way through its narrow streets that always lead to some intriguing park, market, tapas bar or street performer. Each night we'd leave our hotel to begin a new adventure in Madrid and nine out of 10 times, we'd walk through the Plaza Mayor.

Writing is a lonely job unless you're a drinker, in which case you always have a friend within reach.

I probably grow half my food. It's a good way to keep perspective.

I still have the art projects my kids made for me 20 years ago. I cherish them, crude and silly as some of them may be.