Matilda said, "Never do anything by halves if you want to get away with it. Be outrageous. Go the whole hog. Make sure everything you do is so completely crazy it's unbelievable.

When writing about oneself, one must strive to be truthful. Truth is more important than modesty.

I don't care if a reader hates one of my stories, just as long as he finishes the book.

Kindness - that simple word. To be kind - it covers everything, to my mind. If you're kind that's it.

Though my father was Norwegian, he always wrote his diaries in perfect English.

I'm wondering what to read next." Matilda said. "I've finished all the children's books.

So, please, oh please, we beg, we pray, go throw your TV set away, and in its place you can install, a lovely bookcase on the wall.