Children have to be motivated to want to learn to read. Reading must not be taught simply as a school exercise. Michael Morpurgo childexerciselearn Change image and share on social
I really can't write fantasy. I cannot invent a world which does not exist. And I can't read fantasy either. As soon as I realise I'm reading a book that hasn't got its roots in a reality I can comprehend, I switch off. Michael Morpurgo bookcomprehendexist share on social
Books that kids read should be about what is going on in the world. Michael Morpurgo bookkidread Change image and share on social
The most important thing is to live an interesting life. Keep your eyes, ears and heart open. Talk to people and visit interesting places, and don't forget to ask questions. To be a writer you need to drink in the world around you so it's always there in your head. Michael Morpurgo drinkeareye share on social
It gives me confidence to know that what I'm writing has a veracity of its own without me having to invent it. When I'm writing fiction, I must believe it to be true, or I can see no point in it. Michael Morpurgo confidencefictioninvent Change image and share on social
Admitting failure is quite cleansing, but never - pleasurable. Michael Morpurgo admitcleansefailure Change image and share on social
I'm still not sure I want to be a writer. I think of myself as a storyteller more. Michael Morpurgo storytellerwriter Change image and share on social
Write because you love it and not because it is something that you think you should do. Always write about something or somebody you know about - something that you feel deeply and passionately about. Never try and force it. Michael Morpurgo deeplyfeelforce share on social
It's good to focus on the universal suffering that goes on in any war. Whatever the right and wrongs of the war, there is always universal suffering. Michael Morpurgo focusgoodsuffer Change image and share on social
When children are very young, you read them books that are positive to help them go to sleep. But there comes a moment when they begin to understand the difficulties of the world. They know there are problems and the books they read should reflect that, not gloss over them. Michael Morpurgo beginbookchild share on social
