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
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
There are certainly times when my own everyday life seems to retreat so the life of the story can take me over. That is why a writer often needs space and time, so that he or she can abandon ordinary life and 'live' with the characters. Margaret Mahy abandoncharactereveryday share on social
I, personally, have found reading a continual support to writing. Margaret Mahy continualfindpersonally 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
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
By the time ordinary life asserted itself once more, I would feel I had already lived for a while in some other lifetime, that I had even taken over someone else's life. Margaret Mahy assertfeellife Change image and share on social
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
Of course there are big differences in length and character and vocabulary, but each level has its particular pleasures when it comes to the words one can use and the way one uses them. Margaret Mahy bigcharacterdifference Change image and share on social
