Pain hardens, and great pain hardens greatly, whatever the comforters say, and suffering does not ennoble, though it may occasionally lend a certain rigid dignity of manner to the suffering frame.

I think there are a lot more important things than art in the world. But not to me.

Narration is as much a part of human nature as breath and the circulation of the blood.

I don't think it is an easy thing to write and expect to be commercial, even if you are from Venus and a hermaphrodite.

I acquired a hunger for fairy tales in the dark days of blackout and blitz in the second world war.

…words have been all my life, all my life--this need is like the Spider's need who carries before her a huge Burden of Silk which she must spin out--the silk is her life, her home, her safety--her food and drink too--and if it is attacked or pulled down, why, what can she do but make more, spin afresh, design anew….

Young girls are sad. They like to be; it makes them feel strong.