I met Richard Burton, an RAF cadet on a two-term course. I would have flirted more enthusiastically if it had not been for the horrid boils on the back of his neck. Nina Bawden backboilburton Change image and share on social
I grew up on a suburban street with lace curtains and dull neighbours, so I made up stories to tell my friend, in which they became serial killers and burglars. She told her mother, who then told mine. Nina Bawden burglarcurtaindull share on social
There are many times when I think I would have rather died with my husband. It would have been pleasanter, simpler. But it would have been worse for the children and the family in general. Nina Bawden badlychilddie Change image and share on social
The murder of my husband by the railways has altered the way I think about everything. I had always thought that the majority of people were decent and honourable. In the wake of the crash, what made me angry more than anything else was the realisation that this was not true. I still find it very hard to come to terms with. Nina Bawden alterangrycrash share on social
I hope in my books I help children to see their strengths, and show them I have some idea of what they may occasionally be going through. Especially at tricky moments when it is easier to go back and evade things rather than go forwards and confront them. Nina Bawden backbookchild share on social
I was born in a small suburb of Ilford in a rather nasty housing estate that my mother despised. She had grown up in the country, so when the war came and I was evacuated to Wales she thought I was much better off there. Nina Bawden bearcountrydespise share on social
One good reason for writing novels based on your life is that you have something to read in old age when you've forgotten what happened. Nina Bawden agebaseforget Change image and share on social
I like writing for children. It seems to me that most people underestimate their understanding and the strength of their feelings and in my books for them I try to put this right. Nina Bawden bookchildfeeling Change image and share on social