I'm old enough to confidently declare that storytelling is the only thing that has kept the human race sane. Or perhaps less crazier than it can possibly be.

Of course. Storytelling, be it film, photography, literature, has kept me alive. It is life itself.

That is hard to say. Who is to say what a great story is and isn't? But speaking for myself, I think Tolkien did it.

It goes without saying... Tolkien. He's everyone favourite author. He's your favourite author's favourite author.

When I am not writing I am directing a film somewhere.

Myself. I think self-doubt is the usual package that comes with being a writer. I'm positive I speak for many other authors too. We never believe our work is good enough.

Literature doesn't sell here. South Africans don't care about books. Or, at least, as much as we would like. The few that sell are almost always international writers. I have a better chance of marrying Melanie Laurent than making a living as a full-time writer in South Africa.

Using sales and/or critical acclaim as a success scale is an epic fail. Hundreds of mediocre books sell thousands of copies while an even larger number of incredible works go unnoticed by both readers and critics. Sales and acclaim? No. If your book strikes a reader (yes, just one) in a certain way, and inspires some sort of change or just self-reflection, that is a successful writer. If it's pure entertainment, if I'm still marvelling a day after reading your book... brother, you're a success.