Depression is an illness. It is not a ticket to genius. It is not an interesting personality quirk. It is horrible and all-consuming and really hurts. Matt Haig consumedepressiongenius Change image and share on social
Teenagers are philosophers. They are thinking about the big things like existence and identity at a time when their identities are changing so fast. Matt Haig bigchangeexistence Change image and share on social
If you can't give children optimism, then what are you doing? Matt Haig childgiveoptimism Change image and share on social
Like most art forms, writing is part instinct and part craft. The craft part is the part that can be taught, and that can make a crucial difference to lots of writers. Matt Haig artcraftcrucial Change image and share on social
Writing can be fun. I think the challenge is to convey interesting things in accessible ways, and that's what I aim to do in books. Matt Haig accessibleaimbook Change image and share on social
It can be difficult for people to talk about it, because there still is that stigma around mental illness. But I would encourage people to do that, because they'll be surprised once they do 'come out' how many other people have had similar experiences. Matt Haig difficultencourageexperience share on social
For me, as a writer, I desperately want to be read. I'm very conscious of readers as I'm writing. I think, 'If you write for yourself, then why don't you just keep it under the bed,' so I definitely write for other people. Matt Haig bedconsciousdesperately share on social
However much in the foreground depression feels, you are separate to it. This is going to sound cheesy, but I'd say you are the sky. A cloud comes and dominates the sky. But the sky is still the sky. Depression tells you everything is going to get worse, but that's a symptom. Don't give depression power - constantly discredit it. Matt Haig badlycheesycloud share on social
You don't need the world to understand you. It's fine. Some people will never really understand things they haven't experienced. Some will. Be grateful. Matt Haig experiencefinegrateful Change image and share on social
My early novels were written in quite a dark place. I stand by them, but I would never write them again. I think it is subversive to embrace emotional optimism, because it goes against the grain. Matt Haig darkearlyembrace Change image and share on social