History offers us vicarious experience. It allows the youngest student to possess the ground equally with his elders; without a knowledge of history to give him a context for present events, he is at the mercy of every social misdiagnosis handed to him. Hilary Mantel contextelderequally share on social
Writers displace their anxiety on to the tools of the trade. It's better to say that you haven't got the right pencil than to say you can't write, or to blame your computer for losing your chapter than face up to your feeling that it's better lost. Hilary Mantel anxietyblamechapter share on social
The old always think the world is getting worse; it is for the young, equipped with historical facts, to point out that, compared with 1509, or even 1939, life in 2009 is sweet as honey. Hilary Mantel badlycompareequip Change image and share on social
Like every writer, I'm drawn by unlikely juxtapositions, precisely-dated and once-only collisions between people from different worlds. Hilary Mantel collisiondatedraw Change image and share on social
If you skew the endocrine system, you lose the pathways to self. When endocrine patterns change, it alters the way you think and feel. One shift in the pattern tends to trip another. Hilary Mantel alterchangeendocrine Change image and share on social
Sometimes I fantasize that all my furniture has been destroyed in a cataclysm, and I have to start again with only the stationery catalogue. My entire house would become an office, which would be an overt recognition of the existing state of affairs. Hilary Mantel affaircataclysmcatalogue 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
But an experienced reader is also a self-aware and critical reader. I can't remember ever reading a story without judging it. Hilary Mantel awarecriticalexperience 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
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