Writing children's books gives a writer a very strong sense of narrative drive.

As individuals, we are shaped by story from the time of birth; we are formed by what we are told by our parents, our teachers, our intimates.

I would like people to come into my Dreamworld and then choose to stay.

I concentrate on the lives of individuals whom the reader comes to know and feel with intimately.

Mourning Ruby is not a flat landscape: it is more like a box with pictures painted on every face. And each face is also a door which opens, I hope, to take the reader deep into the book.

The poets whom I knew then were all men and all seemed dauntingly sure of themselves - although I am sure that really they were as uncertain as I was.

Finish the day's writing when you still want to continue.