If I've got one thing that I really believe about fiction and life, it's that there are no minor characters. Jane Gardam characterfictionhave Change image and share on social
I can't write the same book over and over again... let it go, once it's gone! Jane Gardam bookwrite Change image and share on social
When I was young and the empire was beginning to disintegrate, the idea was absolutely unbelievable, particularly to children who'd been taught that the sun never set... that's what all my books are about, the end of empire. Jane Gardam absolutelybeginbook share on social
Only a great genius like the Victorian novelist Elizabeth Gaskell can be mother, wife and novelist without solitude. I couldn't write until my youngest child went to school, and then I began - the first morning - and I've never stopped. Jane Gardam beginchildelizabeth share on social
While writing a novel, I don't read anything new in fiction. I am too engrossed. Jane Gardam engrossfictionread Change image and share on social
I gave myself to my children. It happens to some women. Jane Gardam childgivewoman Change image and share on social
The best novel I wrote was one called 'Crusoe's Daughter,' which never won any prizes. But I was getting somewhere in that. I'm not sure I have in any of the others. Jane Gardam callcrusoedaughter Change image and share on social
I longed from a tiny child to get away on my own. When I was five, I walked out along the sands from Redcar, nearly all the way to Hartlepool. Jane Gardam childhartlepoollong Change image and share on social
Mum was a tremendous Anglo-Catholic. Very impressive, actually. She made me go to church for years - I still don't want to because of that. Jane Gardam anglocatholicchurch Change image and share on social
I started to write as a child as soon as I could read, or even before, when my mother read me Beatrix Potter at bedtime. Writing seemed to me to be the only sensible way to live and be happy. Jane Gardam beatrixbedtimechild Change image and share on social
