Reading is very creative - it's not just a passive thing. I write a story; it goes out into the world; somebody… — Margaret Mahy Copy Share Image
I had to wait for a long time before I could support myself with writing. However, being a writer is what I… — Margaret Mahy Copy Share Image
I was able to work out all sorts of attitudes to style and event and character, all of which affected the way… — Margaret Mahy Copy Share Image
At this stage I am not involved with young adults as closely as many other writers. My children are grown up and… — Margaret Mahy Copy Share Image
Try not to become disappointed if someone doesn't like a story you've written. Stick up for your ideas, but listen to what… — Margaret Mahy Copy Share Image
New Zealand is the only country I know well enough to write about. It can sometimes lead to complications. — Margaret Mahy Copy Share Image
When you are writing, of course, you have to do all that writing and correcting for yourself. When I was a librarian… — Margaret Mahy Copy Share Image
I don't think I prefer writing for one age group above another. I am just as pleased with a story which I… — Margaret Mahy Copy Share Image
The novels take longer to write than the picture book texts, and they do take a different sort of concentration. However, a… — Margaret Mahy Copy Share Image
Being a librarian certainly helped me with my writing because it made me even more of a reader, and I was always… — Margaret Mahy Copy Share Image
At the same time, I think books create a sort of network in the reader's mind, with one book reinforcing another. Some… — Margaret Mahy Copy Share Image
There are certainly times when my own everyday life seems to retreat so the life of the story can take me over.… — Margaret Mahy Copy Share Image
My theory is that I decided to be a writer when I was about seven, but of course it is not as… — Margaret Mahy Copy Share Image
Writing for young children I find I often use particular jokes with words and exaggerated, funny events, but some of these haunt… — Margaret Mahy Copy Share Image
When you are writing, of course, you have to do all that writing and correcting for yourself. When I was a librarian it was… — Margaret Mahy Copy Share
“All right," said Eden. "After all, we've got to hide somewhere. And even if they move on a bit faster than we can, they'll… — Margaret Mahy Copy Share
Anyone interested in the world generally can't help being interested in young adult culture - in the music, the bands, the books, the fashions,… — Margaret Mahy Copy Share
“I don't know everything I feel, but I do know this. You mustn't ever want anyone but me, Big Science. If you look at… — Margaret Mahy Copy Share
“Stamp, your name is to be Laura. I'm sharing my name with you. I'm putting my power into you and you must do my… — Margaret Mahy Copy Share
Reading is very creative - it's not just a passive thing. I write a story; it goes out into the world; somebody reads it… — Margaret Mahy Copy Share
“Fattening!” said Troy, looking at Tabitha’s round face and plump arms. “If I don’t mind being fat, I don’t see why other people should… — Margaret Mahy Copy Share
Ellis's understanding of himself and the world around him certainly develops because of his adventures, and part of that development comes through recognizing other… — Margaret Mahy Copy Share
Being a librarian certainly helped me with my writing because it made me even more of a reader, and I was always an enthusiastic… — Margaret Mahy Copy Share
It can certainly happen that characters in more sophisticated stories can ake over as they develop and change the author's original ideas. Well, it… — Margaret Mahy Copy Share
I was able to work out all sorts of attitudes to style and event and character, all of which affected the way I came… — Margaret Mahy Copy Share
“These were true things, Laura knew, but they were only part of the truth which was something less orderly than Kate made it sound.… — Margaret Mahy Copy Share
