I spend a lot of my time talking to the dead, but since I get paid for it, no one thinks I'm mad. Hilary Mantel deadlotmad Change image and share on social
What fascinates me are the turning points where history could have been different. Hilary Mantel fascinatehistorypoint Change image and share on social
I would have been a disaster as a career politician. I would never have toed a party line. Hilary Mantel careerdisasterline Change image and share on social
Like a historian, I interpret, select, discard, shape, simplify. Unlike a historian, I make up people's thoughts. Hilary Mantel discardhistorianinterpret Change image and share on social
Novels teach you that actions have consequences. They help you grow up. Hilary Mantel actionconsequencegrow Change image and share on social
It follows that if you are not a mother you are not a grandmother. Your life has become unpunctuated, whereas the lives of other women around you have these distinct phases. Hilary Mantel distinctgrandmotherlife Change image and share on social
Sometimes people ask, 'Does writing make you happy?' But I think that's beside the point. It makes you agitated, and continually in a state where you're off balance. You seldom feel serene or settled. Hilary Mantel agitatebalancecontinually Change image and share on social
I once stole a book. It was really just the once, and at the time I called it borrowing. It was 1970, and the book, I could see by its lack of date stamps, had been lying unappreciated on the shelves of my convent school library since its publication in 1945. Hilary Mantel bookborrowcall share on social
Writing comes from that territory of being invalidated. But I had a sense of purpose, too. I wanted to stop apologising for my health, and I thought I might do some good. Hilary Mantel apologisegoodhealth Change image and share on social
Life being so short, and the possible books to write so many, it's good to function by night as well as by day; but would anybody become a writer if they realised at the outset what the working hours were? Hilary Mantel bookdayfunction share on social
