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

Perhaps it is partly that we need to love books ourselves as parents, grandparents and teachers in order to pass on that passion for stories to our children. It's not about testing and reading schemes, but about loving stories and passing on that passion to our children.

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

Admitting failure is quite cleansing, but never - pleasurable.

By the time I sit down and face the blank page I am raring to go. I tell it as if I'm talking to my best friend or one of my grandchildren.

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.