A lot of children, like I did, move away from words because of the fear - which is something you have to take out of education: the fear of worrying about what marks you'll get, detention, worrying about letting people down, your parents, teachers.

cause when there's life there's still hope

We have bodies coming home and coffins covered in flags, not just in the UK but world-wide.

Live an interesting life. Meet people. Read a lot and widely, learn from the great writers

That's what this war is all about, my friend. It's about which of us is the crazier.And clearly you British have an advantage.You were crazy beforehand.

Remember to write for yourself, not for a market and give yourself time to develop your own style, your own voice. It takes a lifetime. Enjoy it!

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