Admitting failure is quite cleansing, but never - pleasurable.

It is the child's understanding that teaches the adults the way of the future. They're still doing it today with modern technology.

What's really good is that there are people making stories and writing them and the vast majority never see the light of day and it doesn't matter a fig.

Wherever my story takes me, however dark and difficult the theme, there is always some hope and redemption, not because readers like happy endings, but because I am an optimist at heart. I know the sun will rise in the morning, that there is a light at the end of every tunnel.

We're much alike, bee, you and me," I said. "You may carry your pack underneath you and your rifle may stick out of your bottom. But you and me, bee, are much alike.

Encouraging young people to believe in themselves and find their own voice whether it's through writing, drama or art is so important in giving young people a sense of self-worth.

I think there's something about studying a book which will kill it if you're not careful.