stories make you think and dream; books make you want to ask questions — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
When I sit down I write very fast... if I haven't finished a book in two or three months then I think… — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
Characters are the key to a good book. It took me several novels to comprehend that. — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
I think there's something about studying a book which will kill it if you're not careful. — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
Don't worry about writing a book or getting famous or making money. Just lead an interesting life. — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
Children have to be motivated to want to learn to read. Reading must not be taught simply as a school exercise. — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
Only the best books are special. Why? Because they open our eyes, touch us, excite us, extend us. — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
I don't consciously try to take my readers on a journey as I don't really think about my readers when I'm writing.… — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
Often it's the latest novel that I've written that is my favourite. I'd been dreaming it for so long, living and breathing… — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
For me,the greater part of writing is daydreaming, dreaming the dream of my story until it hatches out-the writing down of it… — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
With reading, I was very lucky. I had a mother who read to me, not because she had time - she was… — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
When children are very young, you read them books that are positive to help them go to sleep. But there comes a… — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
I really can't write fantasy. I cannot invent a world which does not exist. And I can't read fantasy either. As soon… — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
Wherever my story takes me, however dark and difficult the theme, there is always some hope and redemption, not because readers like… — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
With all editing, no matter how sensitive - and I've been very lucky here - I react sulkily at first, but then… — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
Any story that gets us thinking, and particularly young people, thinking why? Whether it's as a result of reading the book, or… — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
There is the myth that writing books for children is easier than writing books for grownups, whereas we know that truly great… — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
Much that is great in literature is an acquired taste, and you have to acquire it in the first place. Our job… — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
Wherever my story takes me, however dark and difficult the theme, there is always some hope and redemption, not because readers like… — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
Read a lot - poems, prose, stories, newspapers, anything. Read books and poems that you think you will like and some that… — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
Marry someone who flatters you. Because I've written 80 books since 'War Horse' but when my wife reads one, all she says… — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
I was never a great reader, but there were two stories I loved best: Kipling's The Elephant's Child and The Jungle Book.… — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
Unless you can be in a place yourself and go through the subject of your story yourself, the next best thing is… — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
Books that kids read should be about what is going on in the world. — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
Access to books and the encouragement of the habit of reading: these two things are the first and most necessary steps in… — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
Perhaps it is partly that we need to love books ourselves as parents, grandparents and teachers in order to pass on that… — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
There's a mouse in here with me. He's sitting there in the light of the lamp, looking up at me. He seems as surprised… — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
“Father was always getting into scrapes when he was a lad. But the worst scrape he ever hot hisself into was the war, First… — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
But I didn’t dare. That has always been my trouble. I’ve never dared enough. — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
Wherever my story takes me, however dark and difficult the theme, there is always some hope and redemption, not because readers like happy endings,… — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
It gives me confidence to know that what I'm writing has a veracity of its own without me having to invent it. When I'm… — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
Live an interesting life. Meet people. Read a lot and widely, learn from the great writers — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
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… — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
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… — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
With all editing, no matter how sensitive - and I've been very lucky here - I react sulkily at first, but then I settle… — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
A lot of children, like I did, move away from words because of the fear - which is something you have to take out… — Michael Morpurgo Copy Share Image
