If one book's done this well, you want to write another one that does just as well. There's that horror of the second novel that doesn't match up. Mark Haddon bookhorrormatch Change image and share on social
One of the freedoms you get if you earn a lot of money from a book is to throw away what you want. And if you throw a lot away, the good stuff always comes back; nothing is lost. Mark Haddon backbookearn Change image and share on social
No one is ever really a stranger. We cling to the belief that we share nothing with certain people. It's rubbish. We have almost everything in common with everyone. Mark Haddon beliefclingcommon Change image and share on social
Indeed, I am repeatedly astonished by the number of really good writers who understand human beings so well on paper but don't know how to deal with them in real life. Mark Haddon astonishbeingdeal Change image and share on social
From a good book, I want to be taken to the very edge. I want a glimpse into that outer darkness. Mark Haddon bookdarknessedge Change image and share on social
I think good books have to make a few people angry. Mark Haddon angrybookgood Change image and share on social
I really like the idea of being a bit unpredictable. I'm known for being a nice, easy-going person with a straightforward exterior. So I think a bit of me wants to be sort of sly and devious. Mark Haddon bitedeviouseasy Change image and share on social
There was a time in my life when I was going in and out of houses that were extraordinarily different - from a working-class terrace in Northampton to the homes of friends who were really very wealthy. It was quite an odd position to be in, I realise looking back, and quite a nice one. Mark Haddon backclassextraordinarily share on social
The most difficult book I wrote was the fourth in a series of linked children's books. It was like pulling teeth because the publisher wanted exactly the same but completely different. I'd much rather just do something completely different, even if there's a risk of it going wrong. Mark Haddon bookchildcompletely share on social
Show me the artist anywhere who's had an utterly stable mental life, and I'll buy you hot dinners for the rest of your life. Mark Haddon artistbuydinner Change image and share on social
