By it very nature, writing is a solitary occupation and one, which is very personal, involving the writer and a blank piece of paper. All my work is planned, though of course things do change as I write, so I guess flexibility is important. I write long hand and complete three drafts, editing as I go along. As far as I am concerned, ideas sometimes “brew” for years and come from thoughts and dreams. For many years now, I've kept a dream journal (which does take some discipline!) and have found it invaluable.    

CLIVE BARKER is the internationally bestselling and award-winning author of 18 books, including Weaveworld, IMAJICA, and Galilee. He regularly shows his art in Los Angeles and New York and produces and directs for both large screen and small. Recent projects include the Oscar-winning Gods and Monsters and an exhibition of erotic painting and photographs, "The Weird and the Wicked." He lives with his lover, the photographer David Armstrong, in Los Angeles, along with a family of dogs, rats, geckos, iguanas, and turtles.