For many imaginative writers, working for the press is a fact of their life. But it's best not to like it too much. Hilary Mantel factimaginativelife Change image and 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
Fiction isn't made by scraping the bones of topicality for the last shreds and sinews, to be processed into mechanically recovered prose. Like journalism, it deals in ideas as well as facts, but also in metaphors, symbols and myths. Hilary Mantel bonedealfact share on social
I didn't cry much after I was 35, but staggered stony-faced into middle age, a handkerchief still in my bag just in case. Hilary Mantel agebagcase Change image and share on social
I'm one of these children who grew up at the knee of my grandmother and her elder sister, listening to very old people talk about their memories. Hilary Mantel childeldergrandmother Change image and share on social
Fear of commitment lies behind the fear of writing. Hilary Mantel commitmentfearlie Change image and share on social
History is always changing behind us, and the past changes a little every time we retell it. Hilary Mantel changehistorypast 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
