Being First Lady is playing supporting act. I am not seeking notoriety and I am not seeking to grab the limelight.

I am a committed observer. I like staying in the background and seeing what's going on.

I am, and remain, passionate about news.

I built my entire life on the idea of independence.

I have never worn dresses by grands couturiers.

I know politics; I know the media.

I will count to 10 before tweeting.

I'm not Cinderella.

I've shared the fate of many working mothers; I felt guilty like them.

In France, a first lady has no status, and therefore she isn't supposed to do anything else.

My feeling is that maintaining financial independence is also a healthy way to keep my feet on the ground.

My perception of life is not to ask Francois Hollande, who isn't the father of my children, to support me financially.

These days, everything is magnified very quickly by the media - the slightest slip can turn into a catastrophe.

You never know when some small thing will lead to a big idea. Travel is very inspirational - but it's in the ordinary that I find my themes of love and work and family.

I come from hardworking, determined people on both sides of my family... the kind who live with a hard reality from which much strength comes.

Motherhood changes everything.

Book clubs are the best thing that has happened to the world of publishing.

I am in total silence when I write - I don't even like the sound of the dryer going - I like the quiet.

I love rhinestones, faux jewelry.

I loved to read, still do, and it seemed that the writing was a result of the love of books and reading and libraries.