As a young child my attention span was, as I remember it, rather short.

Often it's the latest novel that I've written that is my favourite. I'd been dreaming it for so long, living and breathing its story so that when it finally arrives as a newly published book, smelling wonderful and fresh out of the box, there is nothing like it.

Don't worry about writing a book or getting famous or making money. Just lead an interesting life.

If it is possible to be happy in the middle of a nightmare, then Topthorn and I were happy that summer.

Genuinely good people are like that. The sun shines out of them. They warm you right through.

Access to books and the encouragement of the habit of reading: these two things are the first and most necessary steps in education and librarians, teachers and parents all over the country know it. It is our children's right and it is also our best hope and their best hope for the future.

I can hate you more, but I'll never love you less.