I certainly embrace all the movement that's going on these days about equality for women and equal rights. In general, I would apply that to all nationalities and all races. I think we do need more awareness, generosity, and compassion than we have right now. But in terms of feminism, I embrace it wholeheartedly. Not in a kind of militant way, but I've always known that it matters.

Some people regard discipline as a chore. For me, it is a kind of order that sets me free to fly.

Words are what make the song. I get a personal vision about what the lyrics are about.

I think I'm one of the very lucky ladies.

Sadly I don't sing. I missed it for a long time, but my daughter Emma said something wonderful when I was feeling blue one day: "Mom, you've just found a different way of using your voice, and that's with your books." In a way, she's right. It's just a different way of expressing what I feel about music, individuality, art and all the things I've always loved.

Well it's all right to cry. It helps a great deal sometimes.

All I care about really is writing something worthwhile for children, something that will engage them in some way and stimulates in them a sense of wonder.