Outside of family, writing is essential. To me, it's like breathing.

I myself was terrified during the Second World War. The war started when I was six, and I was so sure that we were going to be bombed and killed. My imagination is my biggest plus and my worst minus.

If you have a friend, things are better than if you didn't have a friend.

I loved teaching. It was my world. I only left because I was overwhelmed with three careers - teaching, writing, and my family.

I cannot outline. I do not know what the next thing is going to happen in the book until it comes out of my fingers.

What I think of sometimes, as I read the new books - do kids really need to see such a seamy side of life? I'm in the minority, such an old woman, perhaps. I love the books that have given kids joy, that give them hope at the end. Sometimes it seems to me the books right now are very depressive.

The reasons kids get into trouble in one way or another is because - Who ever told them they were special?