When I was a child I had a best friend who lived across the road from me. When her mother died unexpectedly it was like losing a member of my own family. I think I am still affected by the memory of that loss. Margaret Mahy affectchilddie share on social
When you are writing, of course, you have to do all that writing and correcting for yourself. When I was a librarian it was expected that I would know about a wide range of books. Margaret Mahy bookcorrectexpect Change image and share on social
Ellis's understanding of himself and the world around him certainly develops because of his adventures, and part of that development comes through recognizing other people for what they are. Margaret Mahy adventuredevelopdevelopment Change image and share on social
I had to wait for a long time before I could support myself with writing. However, being a writer is what I have most wanted to be, from the time I was a child. Margaret Mahy childlongsupport Change image and share on social
New Zealand is the only country I know well enough to write about. It can sometimes lead to complications. Margaret Mahy complicationcountrylead Change image and share on social
At the same time, I think books create a sort of network in the reader's mind, with one book reinforcing another. Some books form relationships. Other books stand in opposition. No two writers or readers have the same pattern of interaction. Margaret Mahy bookcreateform share on social
Writing for young children I find I often use particular jokes with words and exaggerated, funny events, but some of these haunt the more complex stories for older children too. Margaret Mahy childcomplexevent Change image and share on social
Being a librarian certainly helped me with my writing because it made me even more of a reader, and I was always an enthusiastic reader. Writing and reading seem to me to be different aspects of a single imaginative act. Margaret Mahy actaspectenthusiastic share on social
I don't think I prefer writing for one age group above another. I am just as pleased with a story which I feel works well for very small children as I do with a story for young adults. Margaret Mahy adultagechild Change image and share on social
It is a good idea to know which publishers publish which stories. For example, there is no sense in sending a picture book text to a publisher who does not publish picture books. Margaret Mahy bookgoodidea Change image and share on social
