Being a depressive should not imply danger any more than being a man or even a human should. Mental illness isn't a them/us issue; we are all on the scale somewhere. So we must be very careful to resist ignorance and combat the stigma that leads to dangerous silence. Matt Haig carefulcombatdanger share on social
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
Understand that thoughts are thoughts. If they are unreasonable, reason with them, even if you have no reason left. You are the observer of your mind, not its victim. Matt Haig leavemindobserver 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
There is certainly no one 'type' of writer who deliberately draws on Shakespeare. In fact, there's a strong argument that everyone writing in the English language is influenced by Shakespeare because, to a considerable degree, he shaped that language. Matt Haig argumentconsiderabledegree 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
I think we get too hung up on categories. Obviously, the book market has to categorise things, and it makes it easier for a reader to go into a bookshop and choose, but as a writer, it helps to get rid of all of that and imagine you are a storyteller around a campfire. Matt Haig bookbookshopcampfire share on social
