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

Unless you have been to boarding-school when you are very young, it is absolutely impossible to appreciate the delights of living at home.

I asked my mum, who's a very clever psychotherapist, and she says that kids love stories about death; they need it, they need to have stories that deal with death and explain it, as a place to put their fears.

And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.

When you're writing, it's rather like going on a very long walk

The snozberries taste like snozberries!

Rainbow drops - suck them and you can spit in six different colours.