I was lucky because my mum was a teacher and showed me how to read and write. But most importantly, she encouraged me to use my imagination. Darren Shan encourageimaginationimportantly Change image and share on social
Anyone who has an imagination can write a book - it's cheap to do - but movies are big money. Darren Shan bigbookcheap Change image and share on social
Reading has always been the great love of my life. Darren Shan greatlifelove Change image and share on social
I'll never forget a meeting with one publisher where they said, 'We don't publish books for teenage boys; teenage boys don't read.' Darren Shan bookboyforget Change image and share on social
I think you can spread yourself across any number of genres when you're a writer as long as you have a deep, abiding love for each of them. Darren Shan abidedeepgenre Change image and share on social
The only way to learn and hone your craft is by working hard and writing regularly. Darren Shan crafthardhone Change image and share on social
I have music on when I write. I don't like the isolation otherwise and find the silence deadening. Darren Shan deadenfindisolation Change image and share on social
Every generation likes to think that children don't read as much as they used to when they were young! You listen to some adults saying they were going around reading 'Ulysses' when they were seven or eight! I think children are voracious readers if you give them the right books and if you make those books accessible to them. Darren Shan accessibleadultbook share on social
All reading should be pleasurable! I don't like people who keep reeling out the 'books are so important' line. First and foremost, reading is about entertainment, the same as movies, video games and music. Darren Shan bookentertainmentforemost share on social
I always loved horror, but I read all sorts of books. My favourite as a child was 'The Secret Garden' which has a big influence on Lord Loss, believe it or not! Darren Shan bigbookchild Change image and share on social