We've seen some insane signs: 'Is that a loaf of bread in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?' Funny stuff along those lines. Very original. One just said 'I will do unspeakable things.' I thought that was very interesting - and mildly terrifying!

You have to find a balance with food in your life - you can't take out food. It can be absolutely terrifying.

We fear violence less than our own feelings. Personal private solitary pain is more terrifying than what anyone else can inflict.

There will one day spring from the brain of science a machine or force so fearful in its potentialities so absolutely terrifying that even man the fighter who will dare torture and death in order to inflict torture and death will be appalled and so abandon war forever.

I'm not a fighter but I would love to be a boxer because I love the courage and toughness. I mean there can be nothing more terrifying than walking into an arena and looking at Mike Tyson in the ring.

The terrifying and edible beauty of Art Nouveau architecture.

The most terrifying thing I can think of is being alone - and I mean utterly alone like no one else in the world alone - at night. That's the nucleus of the first story in my collection and it's also where the title came from for the book.