Margaret Mahy

I know things are unbearable but in spite of that we have to bear them.

— Margaret Mahy

When I was a child I had a best friend who lived across the road from me. When her mother died unexpectedly…

— Margaret Mahy

Time was too much a part of love, for even in fairytales the proof of love was not its first moment, but…

— Margaret Mahy

New Zealand is the only country I know well enough to write about. It can sometimes lead to complications.

— Margaret Mahy

“Anyhow, isn't it a bit wrong to think happiness is all smooth and serene. Isn't it mostly a great energetic struggle -…

— Margaret Mahy

I've never actually been a fighter myself - fighting tires me out and I'm not an efficient fighter anyway - but I…

— Margaret Mahy

It is a good idea to know which publishers publish which stories. For example, there is no sense in sending a picture…

— Margaret Mahy

“The shop for fuller figures could be seen through broad, green leaves, its windows full, not of dresses, but fat zeros, pot-bellied…

— Margaret Mahy

Of course there are big differences in length and character and vocabulary, but each level has its particular pleasures when it comes…

— Margaret Mahy

Do you think that clothes have a life of their own, and maybe have unsuitable affairs with opposite styles? I mean -…

— Margaret Mahy

For in some ways the world was like a shopping centre, and he himself was a doubtful customer, often ineffectual, being talked…

— Margaret Mahy

“Something is going to happen, Laura thought. She was going to be kissed. On one side of a kiss was childhood, sunshine,innocence,…

— Margaret Mahy

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

“When, suddenly, on an ordinary Wednesday, it seemed to Barney that the world tilted and ran downhill in all directions, he knew…

— Margaret Mahy

“ What's happened to the world? she was thinking. Everything has turned terrible...and the bits that aren't terrible have gone mad. I…

— Margaret Mahy

Writing for young children I find I often use particular jokes with words and exaggerated, funny events, but some of these haunt…

— Margaret Mahy

“You won’t forget that,” Claire assured her. “I like things written down,” Tabitha mumbled. “Then you’ve got them for good.”

— Margaret Mahy

I had to wait for a long time before I could support myself with writing. However, being a writer is what I…

— Margaret Mahy

Every writer has to find their own way into writing.

— Margaret Mahy

Canadians are Americans with no Disneyland.

— Margaret Mahy

I'm the Beast. You're the Beauty," he said. "It's all a story, isn't it?

— Margaret Mahy